 | Digital Photography Review Newsletter
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
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Hello! And welcome to the 474th Digital Photography Review newsletter.
Let's take a look at some recent highlights:
Olympus OM-D E-M1 First Impressions Review
The very impressive O-MD E-M1 has just been announced and takes its place as both Olympus' flagship Micro Four Thirds camera and the successor to the E-5 DSLR. The E-M1 is among the most customizable and feature-rich products we've ever seen, and in order to get a handle on what it can do, we've been spending some time with a production unit, taking the new 16.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor for a spin in a variety of conditions. Follow the link to learn more about this high-end mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
Click here to read our First Impressions Review of the Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Cyber-shot QX100 First Impressions Review
Last week, Sony announced a pair of mobile photography camera/lens modules, the QX10 and QX100. The Sony QX cameras are mobile-photography-targeted modules that allow you to clip a larger sensor, zoom lens and additional battery to your smartphone to extend its capabilities. The modules use a Wi-Fi connection to allow their control from a camera app - making them some of the most connected cameras yet. Click through to learn what we made of the high-end QX100 when we were using it recently.
We go hands-on with Ricoh's 360-degreeTheta camera
Ricoh has unveiled its new Theta digital camera, which can take 360-degree panoramas in a single 'auto everything' exposure with its two ultra-wide-angle lenses. The stylish and thin Theta can be controlled via your iOS device after you've downloaded the appropriate app. There's no live preview of the photo you're about to take, so you have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. If you're using your smartphone to capture the image, the photo will be automatically downloaded to your mobile device. We've been using one for a little while, and we wrote up our first impressions in time for its official announcement last week.
Nikon announces Coolpix P7800 Nikon has announced the Coolpix P7800, which sits at the top of its compact camera lineup, replacing last year's P7700 as flagship zoom camera. The P7800 is extremely similar to its nominal predecessor, the most notable change being the addition of an electronic viewfinder. Other specifications are more or less unchanged. The camera is built around a 28-200mm (equivalent) F2-4 zoom lens, and features a fully-articulating rear LCD screen, and plenty of manual control and exposure options, at an expected MSRP of $549.99.What Apple's new iPhones mean for photographers As expected, Apple revealed two new iPhones today: the high-end 5S, and a more inexpensive and colorful model, the 5C. However, though there are minor tweaks to the lens and sensor, both models are touting a fairly underwhelming spec of 8 megapixels, especially when compared to Nokia's 41MP Lumia 1020 or Sony's latest 20.7MP Xperia Z1. Are Apple's newest offerings enough to keep photography enthusiasts interested? We take a look on connect.dpreview.com.What's coming up?
Well, we're going to catch a breath after our in-depth look at the E-M1, but once we've picked ourselves up from the floor we've still got the Olympus E-P5 review to finish, as well as our in-depth look at Sony's Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II and the Fujifilm X-M1. We're also working on updating our review of the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 to reflect its performance with new firmware, and and we just took delivery of a production sample Canon EOS 70D, so we're hard at work on that as well. No rest for the wicked! From sunny Seattle, thanks for reading, and see you next week.
Thanks for reading! Until next time...
Barney
WTD #1434 GearShop update - a message from Laura This week's best deals: GearShop rewards continue on most camera and lens purchases across the site. Save $200 on Sigma's 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS GSM Macro lens. Save $25-$35 on Manfrotto's most popular tripods, the versatile and durable 055 and 190 series.
Now shipping: We've been eagerly awaiting Sigma's 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC OS lens, and it's finally here! We think it's a great all-purpose lens for everyday shooting, and it gives you more versatility than most kit lenses. It's compatible with the new Sigma USB dock, which allows you to tweak focus, stabilization, and firmware. We're also starting to ship the newest entry-level DSLR-style mirrorless camera from Sony. The A3000 uses Sony's growing lineup of NEX E-Mount lenses, and has a wallet-friendly pricetag.
Pre-order the recently announced Olympus OM-D E-M1 or Sony DSC-QX100 from GearShop and we'll charge you only when the order is ready to ship. As always, we'll get it to you in two days with free shipping.
Until next week - Laura and the GearShop Team
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News updates
Olympus fraud saga rumbles on with UK prosecution
Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 11:49:37 AM GMT
Olympus will be prosecuted by the UK Serious Fraud Office over charges that it provided 'misleading, false or deceptive' material in accounts submitted by its medical supplies subsidiary Gyrus Group Limited. Earlier this year three former senior executives of the company were handed suspended jail sentences for their part in a massive accounting scandal which hid huge investment losses dating back to the 1990s, and was uncovered by former CEO Michael Woodford. A statement issued by Olympus states that the potential impact on the Group's business is unclear, as it's difficult to estimate the level of any fines which may be imposed if the prosecution is successful.
Read full story →DxO Optics Pro 8.3.1 adds support for five recent cameras
Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 1:37:46 PM GMT
DxO Labs has released version 8.3.1 of its Optics Pro RAW conversion and image correction software, adding support for the Panasonic Lumix GF6 and G6, the Olympus PEN E-P5, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II, and the Pentax K-50. It also adds 490 extra camera/lens combinations to the library of optics correction modules. Click through for the full press release, including download links.
Read full story →Mobile madness? Our opinion on Sony's QX clip-on cameras
Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 3:00:00 PM GMT
The Sony QX cameras are mobile-photography-targeted modules that allow you to clip a larger sensor, zoom lens and additional battery to your smartphone to extend its capabilities. The modules use a Wi-Fi connection to allow their control from a camera app - making them some of the most connected cameras yet. So just what do we make of the compact 10x QX10 and the larger-sensor QX100? Click through for links to our first impressions content at dpreview.com and connect.dpreview.com.
Read full story →Sony reveals QX10 and QX100 camera modules for smartphones
Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 3:00:00 PM GMT
Sony has announced a pair of mobile photography camera/lens modules, the QX10 and QX100. Both units are essentially self-contained cameras that can be controlled by smartphones, using Wi-Fi. The QX10 features a standard compact-camera 1/2.3" sensor and a 25-250mm equivalent zoom lens. The QX100 uses the 1" sensor and 28-100mm equivalent zoom used in its high-end RX100 II compact. Both are NFC-compliant to make connection to some smartphones even easier. We've had both modules in the office and have had a close look - click through for more details.
Read full story →64-bit Corel PaintShop Pro X6 now available
Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 6:49:22 PM GMT
Corel has announced Paintshop Pro X6 'Ultimate', which improves on the previous version of PSP X6 with the addition of built-in automatic image correction by Athentech Imaging. The update to 64-bit architecture should result in better performance on modern operating systems, as well. Apparently, the new software was created after a research study indicated that 'more power, more speed and improved usability were the changes users most wanted to see in X6'. Who knew? Click through for the press release.
Read full story →Adobe introduces cheaper Creative Cloud with Photoshop + Lightroom
Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 10:03:14 PM GMT
Adobe has added a new pricing tier to the Creative Cloud product, possibly in response to the negative response from the photography community when it announced that all Creative Suite products would require a monthly subscription. The Photoshop Photography Program gives users Photoshop CC, Lightroom 5, Bridge CC, Behance, and 20GB of storage for $9.99 per month. That price will never change, as long as you sign up before the end of this year. You must already own Photoshop CS3 or newer to be eligible for this offer.
Read full story →Sony announces action cam, wrist controller and music video recorder
Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 10:10:18 PM GMT
Sony has updated its Action Cam with a new name, a lighter waterproof housing, and GPS. The Action Cam HDR-AS30V can capture an 11.9-megapixel still image on its back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor as well as Full HD footage. Its new waterproof housing is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and also a little less rugged. Built-in Wi-Fi offers easy connectivity to a smartphone, as well as the new Live View Remote wristwatch. Click through for more details of this, and also the new 'Music Video Recorder' announced at the same time.
Read full story →For those on the leading edge, Sony announces enthusiast 4K Handycam
Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 10:14:54 PM GMT
Sony has announced a consumer 4K camcorder, the FDR-AX1 Handycam, which gives enthusiast videographers a way to capture four times the resolution of a Full HD camera. The AX1 is able to save the massive amounts of data gathered by a 4K, 60fps camera thanks to its XQD memory card. Its G lens covers a 20x zoom range equivalent to a 31.5 - 630mm, and includes Optical Steady Shot. Click through for more.
Read full story →The same but different: Nikon announces Coolpix P7800 with EVF
Published on Thursday, September 5, 2013 4:00:00 AM GMT
Nikon has announced the Coolpix P7800, which sits at the top of its compact camera lineup, replacing last year's P7700 as flagship zoom camera. The P7800 is extremely similar to its nominal predecessor, the most notable change being the addition of an electronic viewfinder. Other specifications are more or less unchanged. The camera is built around a 28-200mm (equivalent) F2-4 zoom lens, and features a fully-articulating rear LCD screen, and plenty of manual control and exposure options, at an expected MSRP of $549.99. Click through for pictures and Nikon's press release.
Read full story →Nikon unveils tiny Coolpix S02 for 'trendy individuals'
Published on Thursday, September 5, 2013 4:00:00 AM GMT
Nikon has taken the wraps off the Coolpix S02 - a tiny metal-bodied 13MP compact camera with a smartphone-sized CMOS sensor and 2.7-inch touch-sensitive LCD. The entire package, built around a 3x (30-90mm equiv) zoom lens is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. In possibly the most cringeworthy press release we've seen from a major manufacturer this year, Nikon describes the S02 variously as 'stylish', 'hip', and 'fashionable', and suggests that it would make an ideal gift for a 'trendy individual'. If this is up your street, note that the S02 will be available later this month in no less than three colors, at an MSRP of $179.95.
Read full story →Nikon reveals LD-1000 LED movie light for 1 System and Coolpix
Published on Thursday, September 5, 2013 4:00:00 AM GMT
Nikon has announced an LED movie light for its Coolpix and 1 System cameras. We could swear the LD-1000 was already available, but maybe that's because we've been seeing mockups of it attached to 1 System cameras at tradeshows for a couple of years. The lamp is fairly compact and uses LEDs behind a diffusion panel for soft, even light. Although it comes with a bracket to mount it onto compatible cameras, the LD-1000 can be hand-held for more control. It will be available next month at an MSRP of $99.95.
Read full story →Fast and wide: Fujifilm releases XF23mm F1.4 R for X system
Published on Thursday, September 5, 2013 5:00:00 AM GMT
Fujifilm has announced the FUJINON XF23mm F1.4 R, a premium fast wideangle lens for its X system mirrorless cameras. It offers the same moderate wideangle view as the fixed-lens X100S, but with an extra stop of brightness. The overall design approach is similar to the company's recent XF14mm F2.8 R, with distance and depth of field scales for manual focusing, and fully optical (rather than digital) correction of distortion. The 23mm F1.4 will be available in October 2013 with an SRP of $899.95 / £849.99. Click through for the full press release.
Read full story →Sony encouraging mobile app development with release of API
Published on Thursday, September 5, 2013 6:00:39 PM GMT
Sony has released the API for developing mobile apps to control a number of their Wi-Fi equipped digital cameras. Developers will now have access to camera control, and could create things like Photo Uploaders and Time Lapse Control, according to Sony. Currently supported cameras include the NEX-5R/T, NEX-6, and the recently announced QX twins. Learn more at connect.dpreview.com.
Read full story →Hands-on with the 20.7MP Sony Xperia Z1
Published on Thursday, September 5, 2013 6:06:19 PM GMT
We're at the IFA trade show in Berlin this week, checking out new tech aimed at photography enthusiasts. One stand-out is the latest flagship smartphone from Sony, the Xperia Z1 (which had the codename of 'Honami'). Sony's certainly put the focus on imaging here with an F2.0, 27mm equivalent lens and a 20.7 megapixel, 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, as well as a new physical shutter button. Read about our first impressions of the device on connect.dpreview.com.
Read full story →Lexar introduces 600x 64GB microSDXC UHS-I card, four-way reader hub
Published on Thursday, September 5, 2013 6:13:30 PM GMT
Lexar has introduced a new 64GB MicroSDXC UHS-I card and a reader hub capable of copying data from four memory cards simultaneously. The new 600x MicroSDXC card is capable of 90MB per second transfer speeds, and will be sold bundled with a USB 3.0 reader. The card reader hub, called the 'Professional Workflow Reader Solution,' uses one USB 3.0 port to transfer data from four (separately sold) memory card readers. SDHC/SDXC UHS-I, UDMA 7 CompactFlash, and XQD card readers are available for the hub's four bays. Click through for more detail about the new card and reader hub.
Read full story →Ricoh unveils 360-degree, smartphone-controlled Theta camera
Published on Thursday, September 5, 2013 11:30:42 PM GMT
Ricoh has unveiled their new Theta digital camera, which can take 360-degree panoramas with its two ultra-wide-angle lenses. The stylish and thin Theta can be controlled via your iOS device after you've downloaded the appropriate app. There's no live preview of the photo you're about to take, so you have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. If you're using your smartphone to capture the image, the photo will be automatically downloaded to your mobile device. Click through for more details - and samples - on connect.dpreview.com.
Read full story →Cokin revamps square filter lineup as 'Creative Filter System'
Published on Friday, September 6, 2013 2:26:04 PM GMT
Cokin has announced a complete overhaul of the branding and packaging of its square filters. The existing different-sized ranges ( 'A', 'P', 'Z-Pro' and 'X-Pro') have been rebranded into a single 'Creative Filter System', with the four sizes relabelled 'S', 'M', 'L' and 'XL'. Gone are the old bulky plastic storage boxes too, replaced by a slimmer 'SlidePack' design which takes up half the space, and uses a microfibre-lined sleeve to help keep your filters clean. Photographers nostalgic for the good old days can breathe a sigh of relief though - old classics such as Tobacco Grads and Sunset filters are still in the catalogue.
Read full story →Fujfilm XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS Real-world Samples
Published on Friday, September 6, 2013 6:15:12 PM GMT
The Fujinon XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS is the first telephoto zoom for Fujifilm's X system cameras, and offers an 83-300mm equivalent angle of view. It has built-in optical image stabilization with 4.5 stops claimed benefit, and uses linear stepper motors for silent autofocus. The lens features an (unmarked) aperture control ring, and offers high quality all-metal barrel construction. Click through for a link to our gallery of real-world samples taken in a range of different environments.
Read full story →Rumors of inexpensive Fujifilm X-series camera hit the web
Published on Friday, September 6, 2013 6:57:52 PM GMT
Leaked details of a possible inexpensive Fujifilm X-series cameras have hit the web today. The camera pictured in the leaked images is apparently named the X-A1, and appears to be built around a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a more traditional Bayer filter instead of X-Trans, but otherwise it looks pretty similar to the recently released X-M1. Other leaked details mention a 3-inch tilting LCD, Wi-Fi, and 5.6 fps burst mode. Click through to see what it (might) look like.
Read full story →What The Duck #1434
Published on Friday, September 6, 2013 11:00:54 PM GMT
We've been fans of Aaron Johnson's comic strip 'What the Duck' for years. 'WTD' is one of the best satirical comic strips in the world, and it's published here every week, as well as being included in our weekly newsletter. Barbed, topical and always amusing, we hope you enjoy WTD as much as we do.
Read full story →Playing with food: Stephanie Gonot's colorful culinary photography
Published on Sunday, September 8, 2013 11:00:00 AM GMT
Photographer Stéphanie Gonot's food photos aren't the stylized, sexy kind you'd see on the cover of magazines like Bon Appetit. Images in her 'Fad Diets' series are frightening visual documents of some of the weirder diets out there, while also being striking experiments in color and texture. Gonot's work may not make your mouth water, but it's a lot of fun, and might just make you reconsider that crash diet...
Read full story →American Society of Media Photographers warns about new Facebook T&Cs
Published on Sunday, September 8, 2013 12:00:15 PM GMT
Another day, another controversial change to Facebook's terms of service. The American Society of Media Photographers has warned its members to 'beware' Facebook's proposed new terms of service, which - the A.S.M.P claims - would allow the social media giant to 'exploit your name, likeness, content, images, private information, and personal brand by using it in advertising and in commercial and sponsored content - without any compensation to you'. Click through for more details.
Read full story →Enfojer project turns your smartphone into an enlarger for B&W prints
Published on Sunday, September 8, 2013 6:02:23 PM GMT
Billed as a way to bring back the romance of the darkroom in the smartphone era, Enfojer is an indiegogo project which promises to make your smartphone into an enlarger to create real prints. Part app and part hardware, Enfojer enlarges the image displayed on a smartphone's LCD, projecting it onto real photo paper to create genuine darkroom chemical prints. Click through to connect.dpreview.com for more on Enfojer's efforts to bring smartphone photography into the darkroom.
Read full story →Young man with autism turns to photography for communication
Published on Monday, September 9, 2013 9:30:00 AM GMT
For some of us, photography is a hobby. For others, it's a way to make a living. For Forrest Sargent, a 22-year-old with autism who is unable to speak, it's a veritable lifeline. His communication is limited to spelling out words using a letter board, a method which allowed him a much-needed way to express himself. Beyond that, he communicates with a gift from his parents bought for his 19th birthday: a camera. Click through to see some of his work.
Read full story →Six things to expect in mobile from Microsoft's Nokia Acquisition
Published on Monday, September 9, 2013 11:00:45 AM GMT
Following Microsoft's purchase of pretty much all of the best bits of Nokia, what does this mean for the mobile industry? Microsoft has the cash, but has been hammered for lacking innovation, whereas Nokia has fought back from a position of irrelevance to release some truly exciting products, but has struggled to make an impact with consumers. Click through for our thoughts on what this might mean over at connect.dpreview.com.
Read full story →Now you 'C' it: the Leica C enthusiast compact with built-in EVF
Published on Monday, September 9, 2013 2:03:09 PM GMT
Leica has announced an enthusiast compact with a 12MP 1/1.7" MOS sensor, 28-200mm equivalent F2.0-5.9 zoom, and built-in 200k dot EVF, which it's calling simply the Leica C (Typ 112). If the specs look familiar, that's because this is essentially Leica's reworking of the Panasonic DMC-LF1. It offers such goodies as Full HD movie recording, optical image stabilisation, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, and RAW format recording. It'll be available in October with a choice of two rather fetching finishes, 'Dark Red' and 'Light Gold'.
Read full story →Six things iPhone photographers want from Apple's next release
Published on Monday, September 9, 2013 5:11:39 PM GMT
Apple looks set to release at least one new model iPhone tomorrow, and since the announcement of the iPhone 5, Samsung, Nokia, HTC and Sony have collectively raised the bar on smartphone camera hardware, leaving iPhone photographers glancing enviously at phones with physical zoom lenses, 41-megapixel sensors, so-called 'ultrapixels' and detachable lens hardware. In this article, Lauren Crabbe examines the current state of the various iPhone rumors, and takes a look at what current iPhone owners want in a new model.
Read full story →Sample gallery: Sony's 20.7-megapixel Xperia Z1 smartphone
Published on Monday, September 9, 2013 5:43:26 PM GMT
We've spent the weekend shooting with Sony's new flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z1. Eager to see what the device's camera and 1/2.3 20.7MP CMOS sensor can do, we've put together a gallery of images and two video samples that demonstrate the Xperia Z1 in action, including its 8x digital zoom. See how we got on with the device at connect.dpreview.com.
Read full story →Olympus OM-D E-M1: First Impressions Review
Published on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 4:00:00 AM GMT
The O-MD E-M1 has just been announced and takes its place as both Olympus' flagship Micro Four Thirds camera and the successor to the E-5 DSLR. We've been spending some time with a production unit, taking the new 16.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor for a spin in a variety of conditions. Follow the link to learn more about this high-end mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.
Read full story →Olympus blends E-M5 and E-5 to create OM-D E-M1 flagship ILC
Published on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 4:00:00 AM GMT
Olympus has announced the OM-D E-M1, now the flagship of its Micro Four Thirds lineup. Rather than calling it the follow-up to the E-M5, Olympus says that the E-M1 is actually the 'successor' to the E-5, the Four Thirds camera introduced back in 2010. The E-M1's standout feature is its new 16.3MP Live MOS sensor with on-chip phase-detection autofocus, designed to work with legacy Four Thirds lenses.
Read full story →Olympus introduces M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 'Pro' zoom
Published on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 4:00:00 AM GMT
Olympus has unveiled a high-end standard zoom to match the E-M1: the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO. It offers a 24-80mm equivalent range and is dust, splash and, freezeproof, and uses a manual focus clutch design similar to the 12mm F2 and 17mm F2.8 primes. Olympus has also announced the development of a matching 40-150mm F2.8 telezoom, which is scheduled for release next year. Click through for more details.
Read full story →What Apple's new iPhones mean for photographers
Published on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 8:00:28 PM GMT
As expected, Apple revealed two new iPhones today: the high-end 5S, and a more inexpensive and colorful model, the 5C. However, though there are minor tweaks to the lens and sensor, both models are touting a fairly underwhelming spec of 8 megapixels, especially when compared to Nokia's 41MP Lumia 1020 or Sony's latest 20.7MP Xperia Z1. Are Apple's newest offerings enough to keep photography enthusiasts interested? We take a look on connect.dpreview.com.
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Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Digital Photography Review Newsletter
