Feb 13 2012

Olympus OM-D E-M5: The First Micro Four Thirds Camera Aimed at Replacing a DSLR

Category: In-Camera Techniques, Technology Insights, The Industry — djordan @ 1:00 pm

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is crammed full of impressive features: the fastest autofocus among interchangeable lens cameras (or so says Olympus). The E-M5 pushes a ridiculous 9 frames per second of 16-megapixel RAW photos. It’s the first mirrorless camera with a magnesium alloy body—weatherproof and dustproof, yo!—and packs the world’s first 5-axis image stabilization. That’s up from 2-axis in the PEN E-P3 and the E5 DSLR. But what does any of that mean to a regular person?

The promise of mirrorless cameras has always been DSLR-level performance, miniaturized. That hasn’t panned out. The E-M5 might fall short of the threshold too, but it’s a statement of intent: The future of Olympus is mirrorless, and the graybeard Japanese camera co wants you to ditch your DSLR and get on board. The future-pushing features of the E-M5 should hammer this point home; these are specs you’re used to seeing in pro-level rigs.

Beyond future implications, the camera itself is a hell of a thing. The guts consist of the 16.1MP sensor designed to deliver image quality without sucking your battery dry (LiveMOS), and the latest generation of Olympus’ TruePic VI image processor. There’s a very cool tilting 3-inch OLED touchscreen that slides out to give you a live view of your subject; and you can focus and control the shutter just by pressing on the screen. The shutter’s quiet, noticeably more so than near-competitors like Sony’s NEX line, even while machine-gunning continuous shots at 9fps. Low light capability looks pretty good too: ISO runs from 200 to 25,600, and has a new technology called Intelligent High Sensitivity (IHS) that Olympus claims will let you shoot clean(ish) at 12,800 ISO.

If you’re going to make a run at folks waffling about moving down from their DSLRs, you’ve got to get the viewfinder right. Olympus gets this, and the E-M5’s peep show feels as close to an SLR’s as you’re like to see any time soon. It’s built in, so it doesn’t take up your hot-shoe slot either, so there’s room for attachment flashes or audio-in. It boasts 1.44 million dots and 1.5x magnification (same as Olympus’ E5 SLR), and retains 100 percent field of view by not lopping off the top and bottom. It also rests in the center of the camera—just where it would be if it were on an SLR and uses a proximity sensor to switch between live view and the viewfinder automatically. It feels very pro.

And while outward aesthetics usually take a back seat, it’s hard to look at the E-M5 and not immediately think “X100! X100!” Because that’s what Olympus wants you to think. Ostensibly, the E-M5 is built to evoke Olympus’s retro OM line, but what it really wants is a piece of the crazy demand for Fujifilm’s beautiful shooters. If that plan means everything coming out of Olympus is going to be as gorgeous as the E-M5, giddy up.

For a while now, mirrorless cameras have been sold as DSLR alternatives. They haven’t been true alternatives, not really. We haven’t gotten a chance to really put this beaut through its paces, but here’s to hoping it delivers on its very loud visual trash talk.

It’ll be available in April for $1000 body-only, $1300 kitted with a black M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50 mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens, and $1100 kitted with a black M.Zuiko digital 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens. [Gizmodo]

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Feb 13 2012

Sigma Puts Its Huge DSLR Sensor Into Small Digital Cameras

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 9:55 am

You probably know Sigma for its inexpensive alternatives to brand-name lenses, but the company also makes some fine digital cameras. The newly rebooted DP-series compact cameras pack the same sensor technology as the company’s excellent $3300 SD1 DSLR.

The new DP Merrill cameras feature the company’s proprietary Foveon x3 46-megapixel, APS-C sensor, which sounds like an unbelievably high-resolution beast, but it’s not exactly what it seems. It’s really just an APS-C sensor with three stacked 15.4-megapixel layers—one for each of the three primary colors. The difference between the two new DP Merrill cameras is the size of their fixed lenses. The DP1 has a 19mm, F2.8, wide-angle lens and the DP2 has a 30mm, F2.8 lens. The cameras are outfitted with 920,000-dot TFT LCDs.

I’m excited to see how the Sigma 1’s impressive sensor fairs on these compact cameras. Even if they’re likely to be pricey, almost everything about the Merrill DP1 and DP2 bodes well. The one obvious drawback is that the cameras will only shoot 640 x 480 VGA video. There’s still no word on pricing and availability, but expect the cameras to come in somewhere between $600-$1000. [Sigma via Engadget]

Feb 08 2012

Canon Powershot ELPH 530 HS: With Wi-Fi Inside

Category: Photographers, Technology Insights — djordan @ 7:00 am

The new Canon Powershot ELPH 530 HS will be the first Canon camera with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. That means you’ll be able to wirelessly upload photos to the Internet as well as to transfer media directly to mobile devices.

The new camera uploads images to the Canon Image Gateway using a wireless network connected to the Internet. Canon’s online service allows you to organize the photos and share them on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

The 530 HS will also let your camera wirelessly play with smartphones and tablets. In March, Canon will release the CameraWindow iOS app, so you’ll be able to transfer your photos and videos from the 530 HS directly to an iOS device and vice versa. Canon plans to release a similar Android app in May.

Besides the new Wi-Fi features, the Canon Powershot ELPH 530 HS is identical to the Canon ELPH 520 HS we first saw last month. It’s powered by Canon’s new Digic 5 processor, which gives the camera speedier performance, and improved low-light shots compared to its Digic 4 predecessors. The 520 HS uses a 12x optical zoom, and shoots with a 10-megapixel, high-sensitivity CMOS sensor.

Canon will also be releasing the Powershot ELPH 320 HS, a cheaper camera with the same Wi-Fi features as the 530 HS. It’s basically a Wi-Fi version of the new 110 HS. It is also powered by the Digic 5, has a 5x optical zoom, and carries a 16.1-megapixel, high-sensitivity CMOS sensor. Both the 530 HS and 320 HS can shoot 1080p HD video.

The Canon Powershot ELPH HS 530 will cost $350 and the 320 HS will run $280. Both cameras will be available in March. [Canon]

Feb 07 2012

Olympus’s OM-D

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 9:22 am

The camera blogs have discovered what appear to be full-size images of Olympus’ new OM-D-series E-M5 mirrorless camera. While we can’t be sure the photos are real, we can’t help but wonder if they indicate that Olympus is heading towards a DSLR-free future.

The new photos were discovered by 43 Rumors on Amazon Japan, and from the looks of it, the E-M5 is hardly a compact camera. Like the Fujifilm X-Pro1, the E-M5 is a big, near DSLR-sized shooter with a viewfinder, and what appears to be a big battery grip on the bottom. That’s strange if the E-M5 is indeed a mirrorless, micro four thirds camera. Another photo of the new camera pictured with Olympus’ huge line of micro four thirds lenses also surfaced, and according to 43 Rumors, the photo has two new lenses we haven’t seen before. This rumor also indicates the camera body’s large dimensions: 4.8 inches x 3.5 inches x 1.7 inches, without the battery grip.

Behold Olympus's OM-D: Is Olympus Giving Up on DSLRs?

All of the information makes us wonder if Olympus isn’t abandoning its line of DSLR shooters altogether. Olympus hasn’t released a new DSLR since the E-5 in 2010. During the same period of time, Olympus invested heavily in its micro four thirds line.

I reached out to Olympus to ask about the future of DSLRs at the company, but it declined to comment on its future DSLR plans. [43 Rumors]

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Feb 02 2012

Nikon Coolpix P310

Category: Photographers, Technology Insights — djordan @ 8:55 am

The Nikon Coolpix P310 is another point and shoot—except it’s completely gorgeous. The boxy design is a matte slate of black perfection. Everyone line is clean, every centimeter accounted for, every button well-placed. Make more things like this.

Inside, the P310 is no dinky shooter: 16 megapixel stills, 1080p video recording, an assignable front function button, full manual controls, image stabilization, and a swank f/1.8 zoom NIKKOR lens. By my god—it’s so small! What you’re looking at is only 4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 inches—easily pocketable. But I don’t want to keep it in any pocket. I want to look at it. Boxy is beautiful. More angles. Cameras shouldn’t resemble spaceships. Check for it next month at $330. [Nikon]

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Jan 27 2012

Sigma Corporation of America announces the passing of Michihiro Yamaki

Category: Business & Marketing, Technology Insights, The Industry — djordan @ 11:51 am

Imaging manufacturer’s pioneering CEO, founder led company for more than 50 years

RONKONKOMA, NY, Jan. 27, 2012 – With great sadness, Sigma Corporation of America today announced the passing of Sigma Corporation’s founder and CEO Michihiro Yamaki. He died of liver cancer in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 18 at the age of 78

“We are deeply saddened by this loss,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “Mr. Yamaki was an industry visionary, and his leadership and enthusiasm has been the driving force behind our company’s innovation for more than 50 years. We’re sending our deepest condolences to the Yamaki family, and our entire Sigma family around the world, during this very difficult time.”

Yamaki founded Sigma Corporation on Sept. 9, 1961 with the development of the first-ever rear attached lens converter. At that time, most photo enthusiasts believed that a lens converter could only be attached to the front of a camera lens and the 27-year-old optical engineer turned conventional optical theory on its head. Sigma Corporation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011 with Yamaki still at the company’s helm.

Throughout his years in the photo industry, Yamaki has been focused on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology at moderate prices. His goal for the company has always been to make outstanding image quality accessible to all photographers. To this end, he grew the family-owned organization into a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of lenses, cameras and flashes. The company is now known as the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 50 current lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony.

In 2008, under Yamaki’s direction, Sigma Corporation purchased Foveon, a California-based company that’s renowned for developing the X3 image sensor technology. This patented, three-layer image sensor captures all primary RGB colors at each pixel location arranged in three layers to deliver outstanding, high-resolution, high-definition images with impressive three-dimensional detail and rich gradation. Last year, the company announced the arrival of its SD1, a groundbreaking, 46-megapixel direct image sensor camera, offering more megapixels than any other DSLR currently on the market. Sigma Corporation continued its theme of addressing gaps in the industry and the needs of photographers by kicking off 2012 with the launch of its new, Digital Neo (DN) line of lenses for Micro Four Thirds and E-mount camera systems.

In addition to his inventions and photographic foresight, Yamaki made many other contributions to the industry in his 78 years of life. He served organizations such as: the Japan Photographic Enterprises Association, Japan Machinery Design Center, Japan Optomechatronics Association, Photographic Society of Japan, and Japan Camera Industry Institute. He has also been honored with the “Person of the Year” award from The Photoimaging Manufacturers & Distributors Association (PMDA), the “Hall of Fame” award from the International Photographic Council (IPC), and the Golden Photokina Pin for his longtime contribution to the imaging industry.

About Sigma Corporation

For more than 50 years, Sigma Corporation’s expertise and innovation has driven the company’s core philosophy of “knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination,” with an emphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology at moderate prices. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 40 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com.

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Jan 20 2012

Hands-on: A Preview of the Fujifilm X-Pro1 Camera System

Category: Technology Insights, Viewpoint — djordan @ 11:17 am

fujifilm_X-Pro1-SystemBy Bob Rose

While the recent 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (January 10-13) was the setting for a number of new but somewhat evolutionary camera introductions, Fujifilm decided to take a revolutionary step in their recent evolution by introducing a completely new interchangeable lens camera system.

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 was designed for wedding, portrait, commercial and fine art photographers, and follows closely in the retro styling made famous by the X100 and the X10 cameras—solid and well built.

The X-Pro1 is not a rangefinder but instead a step up for compact interchangeable-lens cameras offering an advanced Hybrid Multi Viewfinder providing your choice of both and Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) and Optical Viewfinder (OVF).

Besides the unusually sturdy construction and extensive use of machined metal parts, the key to its quality is the completely new APS-C 16Mpxl “X-Trans CMOS” sensor.

As the only digital camera manufacturer with true film experience, Fujifilm looked deep into the structure and mechanics of the way digital images are most often created and determined that they could introduce a more “organic” and higher quality look by changing the rules a bit.

Continue reading “Hands-on: A Preview of the Fujifilm X-Pro1 Camera System”

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Jan 13 2012

Nikon D4 Hands-On: The Photographer’s Newest Deadly Weapon

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 11:48 am

If you’re used to shooting with an everyday DSLR, the Nikon D4 is like holding fully-automatic machine gun for the first time.

Pulling the trigger on the D4 is wonderfully satisfying. When you’re shooting in continuous mode, frames peel off super-fast thanks to Nikon’s new EXPEED 3 processor, which gets you up to 11 fps in RAW. The camera has a big buffer for continuous shooting, but I learned that the new processor is so powerful that it will capture up to 50 RAW frames before even going to buffer. I didn’t push that last claim to its conclusion at the Nikon CES booth, but I held down the shutter release for a while without the camera choking up.

Compared to inexpensive DSLRs the Nikon D4 is big and heavy, but it’s actually much more manageable than other professional cameras. It’s light enough to use with one hand for maybe a minute, but make no mistake: This is a lot of camera. Don’t plan on hanging the D4 from your neck all day. It fills up both of my hands when I hold it on the bottom and from the grip on the right side. To really get the most out of the camera’s programable dials and buttons, you’re going to want to hold it this way anyway.

Other notes: The camera sports an impressive autofocus that adjusted instantaneously on the show floor. I watched some of the HD video shot with the camera blown up to the size of a wall and it is gorgeous. Based on what I could see on the LCD, the camera makes good decisions and takes great photos in automatic and priority exposure modes. On the brightly lit show floor I couldn’t try the low-light performance we’ve heard so much about, but I’m looking forward to seeing it in action when production models are available.

We obviously can’t say anything definitive until a full review, but, it’s pretty plain to see that the D4 is going to be a powerful workhorse of a camera. Unfortunately, if you don’t have $6000 lying around you’re never going to own one. [gizmodo]

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Jan 12 2012

Fuji X-Pro1

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 12:37 pm

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It’s beautiful, simple to use, and elegant. And the Fuji X-Pro1 is rightly going to end up in a lot of camera bags when it hits the streets.

What impressed us the most was just how easy the this gorgeous mirrorless camera is to use. Aperture is controlled by a ring around the lens. Shutter speed is controlled by a dial on the top of camera. If want the camera to automatically control these features? Just set them to “A.” Simplicity itself.

A hybrid viewfinder lets you toggle back and forth between the viewfinder and the rear display. Perfect for taking overhead shots. All the camera’s display options are visible in both the back display and in the viewfinder, so you don’t have to pull the camera away from your eye while adjusting settings. Our only beef with the X-Pro1 might be that the autofocus won’t be as snappy as we’d like. If you’re used to a nice point-and-shoot or DSLR’s speedy autofocus, this could be frustrating. But hey, beauty always comes at a price.

Oh, speaking of which: X-Pro1 should be ready at the end of February for around (*gulp!*) $2400. [Fuji]

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Jan 10 2012

Samsung’s Zoomy Wi-Fi Camera

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 2:21 pm

It’s not news that smartphone cameras have gotten so good that even tiny, excellent point-and-shoot cameras for all their benefits can seem, well, a little unnecessary. Samsung’s WB850F hopes to change your mind with an incredibly zoomy lens and improved Wi-Fi integration.

Your smartphone doesn’t and probably won’t ever have optical zoom, and if that’s something you’re looking for, the WB850F gives you a 21x optical zoom. That’s way more zoom zoom than its competitors.

The other key selling point on the Samsung WB850F is Samsung’s sweet Wi-Fi features. Wi-Fi isn’t new to Samsung cameras, but it’s worth noting how well the SH100 played with your other toys. Samsung’s Remote Viewfinder application, for example, allows you to use your Galaxy S or Galaxy Tab as a remote control the SH100 camera. Similarly the built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to share your photos and videos on Facebook, Picasa, and YouTube directly from the camera.

Will Samsung's Zoomy, Wi-Fi Cameras Beat Out Your Smartphone For Your Love?Samsung’s new “SMART Wi-Fi” technology builds on what the SH100 offered adding auto back-up and making it easier to ge your photos wherever and whenever you want them. Once you’ve synced your PC with your camera one time, your photos will automatically back-up every time your camera and your computer are connected to the same network. You can also set your photos to upload to Samsung’s AllShare Play cloud locker service or Microsoft SkyDrive. Another cool incoming feature is Samsung Mobile Link, which makes it easy to port your photos over to your Samsung phone, tablet, or internet connected TV.

As for the key image quality and performance specs the WB850F has a 16.2 Megapixels CMOS—most likely a 1/2.33″ sensor—1080/30p or 60i video, and a 3.0 VGA AMOLED display. The specs are nothing to go bananas over, but hey, it’s a lot better than what’s on your phone, and as for the lens, there’s really no competition. There will also be two lower-end models with the same connectivity features. The WB150F has a 14.2 megapixel sensor and 18x optical zoom. The ST200F has a 14.2 megapixel sensor and 10x optical zoom. Both shoot 720/30p video. [Samsung]

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