Action camera maker GoPro sets to tackle the emerging virtual reality market as it acquires Kolor, a French developer of software for the creation of immersive "spherical content," for an undisclosed sum.

Kolor software stitches multiple photographs or videos into high-resolution 360-degree panoramas. It is something of a pioneer in the field, having created the first interactive VR YouTube video with Intel. GoPro describes such content as an "essential building block" of VR, since it is best consumed through VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift.

One can also check out videos using smartphones and Kolor Eyes, the company's 360-degree video player.

Intel presents a smaller version of its RealSense 3D camera technology at Intel Developer Forum, Shenzhen-- one fitting a 6-inch prototype smartphone to provide such devices with gesture control akin to the Microsoft Kinect.

As well as reduced dimensions, Intel says the latest version of RealSense offers longer detection range and lower thermal output. However the actual module was not shown in action at the event, suggesting Chipzilla is still not ready to go into manufacturing just yet.

Mind, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich still demoed the technology, if in its larger tablet form- specifically with a Windows 10 device (based on the Skylake development kit) one can unlock via face scan, and another designed to improve warehouse management, the result of a partnership with Chinese online retailer JD.

Olympus takes on the "lens camera" concept seen in the Sony QX  product family-- the Olympus Air A01, an accessory users physically and wirelessly connect to their smartphones for "SLR-quality" photography.

The Air A01 features a 16MP Live MOS sensor and can snap up to 320 shots on a single charge. It pairs with a number of Olympus photography smartphone apps (including one that replicates a physical camera mode dial and any number of filters) and is compatible with all Micro Four Third lenses from the company.

Interestingly Olympus bills the Air A01 is an open-platform device, as it offers developers an SDK for the creation of compatible apps.

GoPro announces its next generation of action cameras-- the Hero4, reportedly the highest performance camera lineup from the company, with three options to suit all price points.

The flagship camera is the Hero4 Black. It promises twice the performances of the previous generation Black camera, being able to capture 4K viedo at 30fps, 2.7K video at 50fps and 1080p video at 120fps.

The 4K shooting mode also allows users to extract 8.3MP photos out of each frame. In still photography mode the camera shoots 12MP images at 30fps burst speeds.

GoPro also promises UI enhancements, as well as improvements on the wifi and Bluetooth front for better app performance and power management.

Panasonic might have stopped selling Eluga smartphones in Europe, but it is still to give up on the mobile device dream-- the Japanese company announces the DMC-CM1, a photography-focused handset.

Revealed at Photokina 2014, the CM1 is the first device of its hybrid ilk to carry a 1-inch 20MP CMOS sensor together with f/2.8 Leica optics, mechanical shutter and a manual control ring. It also looks unlike any other smartphone on the market, with retro-style silver metal and mate black casing similar to those of, well, cameras.

Being 21mm thick and 204g heavy, the CM1 also makes a rather sleek package.

Olympus makes the taking of selfies easier for your customers with the PEN E-PL7, a micro four thirds camera with a retro-style body and a 3-inch touchscreen one can flip downwards by 180 degrees.

To make the taking of self portraits even easier if the screen is flipped the camera automatically enters a special mode with a shutter button on the touchscreen and time-delayed (by 1 second) photo snapping.

Further making the E-PL7 more attractive to smartphone users is a selection of Instagram-style photo filters such as "Vintage" and "Old Film Effect" and wifi connectivity.

Sony launches what it claims is the smallest interchangeable-lens digital camera around-- the a5100, a pocket-size number featuring a 24.3MP APS-C sensor, built-in flash and wifi.

It carries the same hybrid autofocus system (which Sony claims pairs 179 phase-detection points with 25 contrast-detection points) and BIONZ X image processing engine as the previous a6000, if within a smaller design. However it lacks an electronic viewfinder, and all physical control dials are replaced by tilting 3-inch touchscreen.

For customers wanting to shoot video the a5100 handles 1080p recording at 50Mbps, with file sharing handled by NFC and Wifi Direct.

Polaroid takes on the GoPro and its action camera ilk with the Cube-- a small (3.5mm) camera packing a 124° wide-angle lens and 1080p video recording capability inside water and shock resistant rubber casing.

First revealed back at CES 2014, the Cube also takes 6MP photos, with up to 32GB storage (via microSD card) and a built-in battery promising up to 90 minutes of recording time.