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Posts Tagged ‘June’

June 2021 CIPA data: Steady shipments despite chip shortages and COVID-19 resurgences

04 Aug

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has released the production and shipment data of digital cameras and lenses for June 2021.

So far, in 2021, global camera shipments peaked in March, with 830,006 units. Since then, it’s been a steady decline, with June continuing that trend. That said, global camera shipments are still higher than last year for both volume and value. In June 2021 676,803 units valued at 39 billion yen shipped compared to 511,517 units worth 24.5 billion yen in June 2020, increases of 32.3 percent and 60.1 percent, respectively.

If we ignore compact camera sales and look only at interchangeable lens cameras, the numbers are fairly similar. June 2021 saw 442,679 units worth 33 billion yen shipped in June 2021 compared to 326,094 units worth 19.3 billion yen in June 2020, increases of 35.8 percent and 71.2 percent, respectively.

This chart from CIPA shows total digital stills camera shipments in 2019 (purple, circles), 2020 (black, triangles) and 2021 (orange, squares). These numbers include compact cameras with built-in lenses, DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras. Click to enlarge.

This data continues the trend we’ve seen over the past year or two wherein fewer units are being shipped (and eventually sold) than previous years, but the value of those units is higher, meaning the loss in volume for camera manufacturers is at least somewhat being made up for with an increase in revenue per unit. This trend is even more noticeable in the interchangeable lens camera market, where mirrorless cameras showed a 104 percent YoY increase in the value of units shipped in June 2021, despite volume only increasing 58 percent.

This chart from CIPA shows total shipments for cameras with interchangeable lenses in 2019 (purple, circles), 2020 (black, triangles) and 2021 (orange, squares). Click to enlarge.

For comparison, June 2021 saw 191,560 DSLR units worth 7.1 billion yen shipped. Those are YoY increases of 14.6 percent and 7.8 percent respectively. What this shows is that despite more DSLR camera units being shipped globally, the value of those units is steadily decreasing. There could be a few reasons for this discrepancy, but the two most obvious ones are that camera companies are discounting their more expensive DSLR cameras to get rid of inventory ahead of the ongoing transition to mirrorless; the second is that those still buying DSLR cameras are more consumer-oriented customers who are getting entry-level DSLR cameras that retail for much less than prosumer and pro-grade DSLR cameras.

Another facet to take into account is the ongoing chip shortage. Camera and lens manufacturers have come out time and time again to announce delays due to the inability to source the required components, but it’s difficult to judge just how much this is affecting the production and shipment data at this time.

CIPA’s complete June 2021 breakdown, which shows production and shipment data from January, February, March, April, May and June 2021 by camera type and region. Click to enlarge.

As for regional data, it’s a little more difficult to judge how shipment and production data is affecting the industry as a whole. There are geographical areas where COVID-19 and its variants are causing increases in cases and travel restrictions, while other areas have seen life more or less return to ‘normal,’ as obscure as that definition may be.

Whatever the case is, June 2021 continues the trends we’ve seen as of late and once again backs up the statements we’ve seen from various camera and lens manufacturers who’ve state that 2021 will be a year of equilibrium that will very much shape the state of the industry going forward.

You can find a full list of companies participating in CIPA’s data and view all historical data on CIPA’s website. You can find the full June 2021 dataset here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Video: A look at every new feature in Adobe’s June Lightroom, Photoshop updates

23 Jun

Last week, Adobe released its latest updates for Lightroom, Photoshop and Camera Raw, bringing new and improved features to each of its photo-centric apps. While the list of updated features is exhaustive, Colin Smith from YouTube Channel Photoshop CAFE has broken down every new feature so you don’t have to.

Smith’s feature overview is split between two videos: one that focuses on Photoshop and Camera Raw, and one that focuses on Lightroom Classic.

For the 12-minute Photoshop video, Smith covers the improved AI-powered Select Subject tool in Photoshop as well as the updated Lightroom-inspired interface for Adobe Camera Raw.

The Lightroom video comes in at 11 minutes and addresses the new Local Hue tool, the updated Tone Curve interface, ISO Adaptive Presets and the new performance improvements Adobe has made throughout the app.

You can keep up to date with Smith’s Photoshop and Lightroom tips and tutorials over on the PhotoshopCAFE Youtube Channel.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Adobe’s June Creative Cloud update brings improvements, updates to Lightroom, Photoshop and more

17 Jun

Adobe has released its June Creative Cloud updates, bringing with it a number of new features for its cloud-based product suite, including Photoshop, Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw.

Adobe Photoshop

First on the agenda is Photoshop for desktop. Adobe has updated its Select Subject tool with new algorithms to help it better recognize what’s being selected and alter its selection accordingly. Specifically, Adobe has worked on portrait selection, which will recognize when a person is being selected and more accurately select the subject’s hair and other details using its Sensei AI machine learning technology.

Adobe has also added rotatable patterns, Adobe Fonts auto-activation (no more messages about missing fonts) and an updated Match Font feature that can detect fonts in an image and suggest similar-looking fonts within your library to use in the image.

You can find a detailed post explaining all of the new Photoshop features in depth on Adobe’s announcement blog post.

Adobe Lightroom

Moving on to Lightroom, Adobe has added a new Local Hue adjustment (ACR, Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC macOS/Windows, iOS and Android), Versions (Lightroom CC macOS/Windows, iOS and Android), Raw defaults (Lightroom CC macOS/Windows, iOS and Android) and ISO Adaptive Presets (ACR and Lightroom Classic).

The new Centered Crop Overlay makes it easier to center a subject in an image.

The Local Hue adjustment makes it possible to edit the color in select areas of an image, the new Versions feature makes it possible to create and edit multiple versions of the same image without needing to duplicate it, Raw defaults makes it so you can apply specific default settings to Raw photographs to make the images reflect the internal picture profile you’ve set in-camera and the ISO Adaptive Presets makes it possible to change how a specific preset looks based on what ISO the image was captured at.

One of the new features in Lightroom CC for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android is ‘Versions,’ which lets you make multiple edits of the same image without having to duplicate the file.

Other new features include Centered Crop Overlay, Watermarks and Lightroom for iPad finally has an Edit in Photoshop’ option for immediately editing the image in Photoshop for iPad (with a reverse option to ‘Send to Lightroom’ when you’re done with your edits).

The ability to export an image from Lightroom for iPad to Photoshop for iPad and back is a very welcomed addition that’s been requested by users for quite some time now.

Lightroom Classic has also received performance improvements. GPU acceleration for image editing came about last year, but these new improvements focus on a smoother experience while scrolling through your library, searching and filtering collections and scrubbing sliders in the Develop module. Adobe says ‘you’ll experience faster scrolling and less stuttering especially while navigating up and down larger catalogs and sifting through longer lists of collections.’

You can see a detailed breakdown of each of the new features and updates in Lightroom on Adobe’s announcement blog post.

Adobe Camera Raw

The new ACR interface more closely resembles that of Adobe’s more recent Lightroom and Photoshop updates.

Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) has also received an update that brings its interface and feature set more in line with Lightroom. In addition to the Local Hue adjustment, ISO Adaptive Presets and center crop overlay, ACR has also moved many of its local tools to the right-hand side of the interface and put its various adjustment in stackable panels, similar to what’s found in Lightroom’s Develop module. You can also choose whether the Filmstrip (image thumbnails) appears on the left-hand side of the interface or on the bottom, underneath the images.

You can find a rundown of all of the new features on Adobe’s ‘What’s new in ACR’ announcement post.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Olympus will shutter its camera business in South Korea on June 30

21 May

Olympus will end its camera business in South Korea on June 30, according to a new report from The Korea Times. The decision is ‘mostly’ based on low camera sales volume, the report claims. Olympus will continue to sell medical and scientific equipment in the country.

In a statement to the publication, Olympus said that despite focusing on mirrorless cameras and interchangeable lenses, ‘it has become barely possible to sustain the business with profit,’ spurring the business decision.

Though the company will shut down its brand store and online shop for South Korean customers on June 30, it will continue to operate its servicing facility in the country until March 31, 2026, enabling existing customers to get their camera gear repaired.

Olympus says it had to make this decision despite ‘strenuous efforts to increase the profitability and efficiency of its imaging business’ in South Korea. Olympus told The Korea Times that its decision to end camera sales in the country doesn’t have anything to do with a social movement among residents to boycott products from Japanese companies.

The news isn’t terribly surprising as camera sales are indeed down worldwide. Back in November 2019, rumors surfaced that Olympus was planning to entirely exit the camera business, something the company denied, stating instead that it was working on improving the ‘profitability and efficiency’ of both its imaging and scientific equipment businesses.

According to the CIPA figures released last month, camera shipments to Asia in March reached only 39.8% of the volume of shipments reported in March 2019. Overall worldwide shipments only reached 47.8% of the volume compared to the same month in 2019, with mirrorless camera models proving more popular than SLR cameras.

It’s unclear how great of an impact the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had on this drop in sales volume, but it seems unlikely that camera companies can expect a spike in sales at any point in the near future. Given the fact that Olympus’ imaging business was already struggling to survive in South Korea, it makes sense that the company would choose this time to exit the camera business in that market entirely.

We have contacted Olympus for a comment and will update this article accordingly if we receive a response.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Sony a7S III May Be Announced in Late June

08 May

The post The Sony a7S III May Be Announced in Late June appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

dps-sony-a7s-iii-news

Over the past several weeks, rumors of a new Sony full-frame camera have been on the rise.

And, taken together, it looks like we may have a Sony a7S II successor before the summer is out.

One rumor, originally reported by Sony Alpha Rumors, suggests that a Sony full-frame camera (and a full-frame lens) will debut at the end of June.

Another rumor, also revealed by Sony Alpha Rumors, tells of a Sony a7S II successor in “late June.”

Sony a7S II successor may debut soon

According to this second report, the a7S III should be launched toward the end of next month, with the camera “scheduled to be on the market by late Summer,” assuming that coronavirus doesn’t cause further, unexpected issues.

Put these two reports together, and an a7S III seems very likely, though it is possible that we’ll be surprised with an a7 IV.

An a7S II successor is long overdue; the a7S II launched way back in 2015, and since then much has changed in the camera industry. Note that the a7S III would be part of Sony’s video-centric stills lineup, which focuses on high-quality video over features such as huge megapixel counts and insanely good autofocus tracking.

So what can we expect from this new Sony snapper?

First, the a7S III should feature at least 4K/60p (the old a7S II offers 4K/30p), but there’s also a possibility for a jump in resolution to 6K or even 8K.

A June-announced 8K camera would be poised to compete with the upcoming Canon EOS R5, which will leapfrog over other mirrorless bodies to offer 8K/30p recording. Personally, I’m doubtful as to whether Sony could pull this off; it’s far more likely that we’ll get 4K/60p, or maybe 6K.

We should also see some standard Sony features: touchscreen capabilities, IBIS, faster AF, and a relatively compact body. The a7S II was (and is) a powerful low-light shooter, so the a7S III may take that even further, offering top-of-the-line high-ISO performance.

As for the price:

The Sony a7S II is currently available for around $ 2000 USD, but it debuted with an MSRP of $ 3000 USD; we can expect that the a7S III will start at this mark, though it’s possible we’ll see a higher price if the camera offers some unexpected features (such as 8K video).

So if you’re a hybrid shooter looking for your next camera, keep an eye out for updates over the next couple of months!

Now over to you:

Are you excited about the potential release of the a7S III? What do you think the camera will offer in terms of video and stills capability? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post The Sony a7S III May Be Announced in Late June appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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DJI teases new release for June 11th with new video posted to social channels

09 Jun

DJI released a 21-second teaser video ahead of their latest product release titled ‘Learn to Win.’ An official announcement will be made this Tuesday, June 11th. The world’s top drone manufacturer released the Osmo Action camera less than a month ago.

Naturally, the Internet has offered up numerous theories on the next move for DJI, who hasn’t released a consumer-grade drone since the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom at the end of August last year. One possibility is their official entry into the lucrative and growing FPV racing market with a compact, agile drone. Another potential release could be a Software Development Kit (SDK) aimed at developers and tinkerers for custom applications.

The caption on the video, first posted to YouTube, hints at the latter SDK possibility as it reads ‘DJI was built by tiredless engineers who never stopped looking for answers and pushing boundaries. Now, get ready to push yours. If you’re ready to win, be prepared to learn.’

‘DJI was built by tiredless engineers who never stopped looking for answers and pushing boundaries. Now, get ready to push yours. If you’re ready to win, be prepared to learn.’

Rumors of a Spark 2 drone, slated for summer, have also circulated and are covered in detail by DroneDJ. The Phantom 4 series is still out of stock at DJI’s official online store, though representatives for the company have gone on record stating that a logical Phantom 5 follow-up is either on hold or, alternately, there was nothing to cancel in the first place.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm teases new Instax camera with LCD screen ahead of June 12 launch event

29 May

Fujifilm has announced the upcoming launch of a new Instax camera model. Full details about the new instant camera won’t be released until June 12, but the company did tease one key feature in the below tweet on May 27: the inclusion of a small LCD. The new Instax model will be ‘perfect for the new age,’ Fujifilm’s tweet states.

The ‘new era’ of Instax cameras will include multiple ‘very special features,’ Fujifilm teased in its tweet, one of which is the LCD. The new model will include the same instant color printing capability found on other Instax models, but it’s unclear what new features Fujifilm plans to include.

The current Instax product line features more than a dozen models, including the relatively new Square SQ20 instant ‘hybrid’ digital camera, which features an LCD for previewing images before printing.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm F1.4 II lens for Leica M-mount will be released in June

08 May

Following a leak last week claiming the lens would soon be announced, the Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm F1.4 II wide-angle prime lens with single coating and multi-coating options has been announced. The updated model features ‘the latest optical material,’ according to Cosina Japan, while retaining nearly the same size and design as the original.

The Nokton Classic 35mm F1.4 II for Leica M-mount features 8 elements in 6 groups, an F1.4 to F16 aperture range, 10-blade diaphragm, 43mm filter size and 63° angle of view, mirroring the original model. The weight has been slightly reduced in the updated model, dropping from 200g (0.44 lb) to 189g (0.41 lb).

Cosina says it brought ‘the latest optical technology’ to the Nokton Classic 35mm F1.4 II lens, explaining that its new product:

Reproduces the unique depiction of the classic lens. At the open aperture, a gentle and gentle bokeh creates a three-dimensional effect. If you focus on it, it will be a sharp depiction, and a variety of expressions are possible with one lens … a gentle and beautiful bokeh when the aperture is open and a sharp notch when it is narrowed widens the width of the photographic expression.

The lens is offered in two variants: single coating (SC) for classic color reproduction and multi-coating (MC) for neutral color reproduction. The company will also sell the LH-6 lens hood for the new model as an optional accessory.

The Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm F1.4 II lens will be available starting in June for 75,000 JPY ($ 680 USD, £523, €607). The model isn’t yet listed on B&H Photo or Adorama, but can be pre-ordered in Japan through Yodobashi.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Tokina Fi?RIN 20mm F2 FE AF lens will ship June 1st, costs $950

17 Apr

Tokina announced the Fi?RIN 20mm F2 FE AF—its second prime lens in the premium Fi?RIN lens lineup for mirrorless cameras—back in February, and we got to see it in person at CP+. But it was only this month that they revealed when the lens would ship, and only earlier today that we finally know the price.

According to Tokina itself, the autofocus lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras lens will begin shipping on June 1st; and according to online retailers who finally put the lens up for pre-order today, the price will be $ 950.

There’s not much more we can say about the lens that we didn’t already reveal in the announcement post and hands-on at CP+. The Fírin 20mm F2 FE AF is simply the autofocus version of Tokina’s first high-end Fírin lens. The two lenses share an optical formula, and the addition of AF is simply meant to offer “more options for end-users to choose from according to the purpose and style of shooting.”

To learn more about the Tokina Fírin 20mm F2 FE AF lens, dive into the optical design, and see some sample images captured with this lens, visit the Tokina website.

Press Release

New Tokina Fi?RIN 20mm F2 FE AF

April 06, 2018 – Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the sales release of Tokina Fi?RIN 20mm F2 FE AF – the second prime lens in Tokina’s premium lens series Fi?RIN for mirrorless cameras.

Name Origin

Fi?RIN 20mm F2 FE AF belongs to the newly launched “Fi?RIN” series of Tokina lenses for mirrorless cameras (or ILCs – Interchangeable Lens Compacts) marking a new epoch in Tokina history. Fi?RIN is a variation of Fi?rinne – the old Irish word for “truth”. It means “that what is real” and signifies “being true to someone or something”. It represents a promise from Tokina to photographers to help them capture the truth in their images with this revolutionary new lens.

Overview

Fi?RIN 20mm F2 FE AF is the long-awaited autofocus version of the existing Fi?RIN 20mm F2 FE super wide angle lens for full-frame Sony E-mount. Being specially designed for Sony E-mount and adopting the same optical design as in MF model, Fi?RIN series now offers more options for end-users to choose from according to the purpose and style of shooting.

Estimated time of arrival: June 1, 2018 EAN code: 4961607634509

For more information about the product refer to Fi?RIN 20mm F2 FE AF product page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Announcement: Strobist Full-Day Shooting Workshop, June 7th in Washington, DC

10 Mar

Just a quick heads-up that I’ll be teaching a small-class lighting workshop in Washington, DC this June 7th. It is part of the Focus on the Story International Photo Festival being held June 7-10.

This class is small — a maximum of 16 people — and we will be shooting all day. It is designed for people who are new to intermediate in their lighting skills. If you are comfortable with shooting in manual mode, you will not be out of place. If you already have some experience, we will happily stretch you out a bit.

If you have your own lighting gear (small flash only, please) feel free to bring it. But you need not, as lighting gear will be provided for the class. Just bring a camera, normal range lens (a kit zoom would be fine) a storage card and batteries and you are good to go.

I teach this class a lot; it’s my favorite course. But oddly, almost never in the U.S. In fact, this is the only time I am scheduled to teach a small shooting workshop in the U.S. this year.

Here is my promise: if you show up as an “available light” photographer, you will leave as a lighting photographer. Period. I guarantee it. (In fact, I won’t let you leave until you understand it. So if you are intimidated, maybe… bring a sleeping bag.)

The class, which includes lunch, is $ 230. You need not sign up for the whole festival to take this class. (But the festival has a really strong speaker lineup, and a 40% off early bird discount until March 18.)

Links below, hope to see you there. (Hit me on Twitter if you’re coming!)
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FOTS International Photo Festival
My Lighting Workshop
Strobist

 
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