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Posts Tagged ‘March’

CIPA’s latest numbers show camera production, sales slashed by half in March

27 Apr

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the camera industry particularly hard with a dramatic downturn in both production and sales during March. Traditionally a period when sales of new products announced after the New Year begin to come on-line, this March saw production and shipments from Japanese companies drop to only 48% of levels reached in the same month last year.

Figures released by the Japanese Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) show world-wide shipments were only 47.8% of the volume last March, with the number shipped to Asia (excluding Japan and China) only 39.8% of last those shipped in March 2019. Shipments to ‘Other Areas’ (including the Middle East) are most healthy but still down to 68.2% of last year’s volume, and this region accounts for a very small proportion of sales. Shipments to the USA were at 44.7% and those to Europe were 48.3%, while Japan managed 54.5%.

Production and shipped data for March 2020. Column 2 is for comparison to February 2020 and column 3 shows a comparison to March 2019. Column 4 compares Q1 2020 with Q1 2019

It seems SLR cameras have fared far worse than mirrorless models, which may be partly down to the fact that there are fewer new SLR models around at the moment. Production of SLRs reached only 32.6% of the levels for last March, while mirrorless models reached 56%. China was the only region to receive more SLRs than mirrorless cameras, but that figure was still only half of what the country took last March.

The CIPA figures are reflected in the sales reported by Stackline, which showed online camera sales in the USA were down 64% in March. With many camera shops with closed doors too, sales across the counter are also likely to be very poor. The market research company rated cameras no. 3 in its list of the 100 fastest declining product categories – with only briefcases and luggage doing worse. Unsurprisingly, disposable gloves were the fastest-growing product.

Last week Canon reported a drop in camera revenue of 27% for the first quarter of the year – slightly ahead of that across the total Japanese camera market which recorded a drop in revenue of 31.1% compared to the same period last year. The revenue drop for SLRs shipped from Japan was 40.2% while that for mirrorless models was 25.8% in the months January to March 2020.

Sales of lenses have held up a little better with the total volume produced in March dropping by 46.1% and those shipped falling by 44.8%. Production of full-frame lenses dropped by 34.5%, while those designed for smaller formats fell by 53% by volume. In better news, the value of smaller-format lenses shipped to the USA was up by 1.5% over the value shipped to the region in February – and I’ll take that as a positive.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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BCN data shows mirrorless camera sales have dropped 50% YoY in Japan for March amidst COVID-19 pandemic

13 Apr
An illustration from BCN Retail showing the unit sales percentage, by manufacturer, of Canon (Blue), Olympus (Green) and Sony (Red).

It was only a matter of time before we started to see the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on camera sales, and today we’re getting our first glimpse at just how brutal the global pandemic has been on the camera industry.

BCN Retail, an analyst firm that collects daily sales data of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras directly from online and in-person points of sale in the Japanese camera market, has shared the numbers from its March data, and it’s not pretty. While January and February saw a year-over-year (YoY) decline of 9.9 percent and 23.5 percent, respectively, March saw a decrease of 50.5 percent (compared to March 2019).

This decrease is well above the relatively consistent 15–20 percent YoY decrease we’ve seen over the past few years and goes to show just how hard the coronavirus pandemic is affecting sales, even if BCN’s data is only a relatively small sample size.

As far as sales volume goes, BCN says Canon, Olympus and Sony have all dropped YoY, while Fujifilm stands alone as the only manufacturer to increase its share of the market.

A chart showing the most popular cameras in the Japanese market, based on BCN Retail’s data.

BCN also shares what cameras have performed best, based on sales volume, with the Canon EOS M50 barely edging out the Olympus Pen E-PL9. Sony’s a6400 rounds out the top three, with the a6000 still coming in fifth, despite being six years old.

It’s safe to assume these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg as near-global stay-at-home mandates and quarantines continue in an effort to #flattenthecurve of the COVID-19 pandemic. CIPA’s data won’t be here for a while, but it will likely tell a similar story at a much larger scale.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm will discontinue its Fujicolor film-packs by the end of March

08 Feb

On February 7, Fujifilm published an advisory warning that it will discontinue the sale of some film products due to [the] long-term decrease in demand’ it has experienced. According to FujiRumors, the decision will impact the Fujicolor 100 and Fujicolor Superia Premium 400 film products.

Fujifilm will stop shipping its Fujicolor 100 and Fujicolor Superia Premium 400 film in three-packs by the end of March, according to the report. Single rolls of film will still be available to purchase through select retailers and distributors. Though the analog photography market has seen an uptick in demand, this hasn’t been enough to save some products.

In October 2019, for example, Polaroid Originals announced that it was discontinuing its Spectra film because functional cameras that can support it have become increasingly hard to find. Fujifilm itself has discontinued other film products, including its ACROS 100 black and white film that it earmarked for discontinuation in 2018.


Update (February 7, 2020): Article has been updated to clarify it’s the three-pack units Fujifilm will stop selling.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Autel pushes back EVO II launch to March after discovering pre-production bug

28 Jan

Autel’s three EVO II drones were set for a late January release, but due to a last-minute software bug the engineering team discovered during production, Autel has confirmed to DPReview that its EVO II drones will likely be pushed back to a March release.

The bug, which ‘could limit flight performance under normal operation,’ according to an email sent to us and copy shared on Autel’s social media accounts, is being addressed on the production line, rather than needing to be fixed by consumers as a day-one software update. Due to the combination of this delay and the Chinese New Year, Autel is estimating that the first units should hit shelves in March, although it notes ‘this is not a set date or time frame,’ as ‘things can always change.’

The post, which is shared in its entirety below, thanks interested customers for their patience as the 18-member Autel team works to get units out as soon as possible.

You can read our original Autel EVO II series coverage for more information about the impending drones and keep up to date with the latest developments via Autel’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube channel.

Hello Everyone!

First, we want to thank all of our fans and followers. It doesn’t matter if you just follow one of our social channels, or if you fly our products every day. Your support and enthusiasm have always kept us going here at the Seattle office.

With the announcement of EVO II at CES, the response has been absolutely crazy. This community is exploding, and we thank you for your patience with us as we are still trying to catch up on responses. We also want to be as transparent as possible and give you all periodic updates on the status and availability of EVO II. That way you have the most up to date information straight from us and not just rumors.

Our goal at CES was to get the initial units of EVO II (8k) into the hands of dealers by the end of January. Unfortunately, during production, we found a bug in our software that could limit flight performance under normal operation. Instead of shipping the hardware with a known issue and forcing users to perform day 1 updates, we have decided to delay the rest of production and shipments until we have resolved the issue. Our projected timeline is to have EVO II available for purchase in March. This is not a set date or time frame, and things can always change. But with the information we have today, that is our goal.

The team in Seattle is very small and we are adding channel support as we can. We are looking to start up our website newsletter again in the next few weeks. So for any future updates, please check our website, the official social channels, and emails coming directly from us.

We thank you for your patience. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get a hold of us at support@autelrobotics.com

Thank you all again and fly safe!

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon is killing off its authorized repair program in March 2020

11 Dec

Repair website iFixit has confirmed Nikon will be ending its authorized repair program in the United States in March 2020, effectively de-authorizing more than a dozen independent shops across the U.S.

The news first came from a letter obtained by iFixit that Nikon USA sent out to its roughly 15 remaining Authorized Repair Stations in early November. The letter notes that Nikon will not be renewing its agreements with the shops after March 31, 2020, meaning these stores will unlikely be able to obtain genuine Nikon parts, as Nikon stopped selling genuine parts to non-authorized shops back in 2012. This will leave just two facilities on opposite sides of the U.S. — in Melville, New York and Los Angeles, California — compared to the roughly 15 shops currently in operation.

An illustration showing the weather-sealing around the perimeter of the Nikon D700 frame.

According to iFixit, the letter notes ‘The climate in which we do business has evolved, and Nikon Inc. must do the same.’ As a result, Nikon needs to ‘change the manner in which we make product service available to our end-user customers.’

Nikon confirmed the news in a statement to iFixit, saying ‘We remain committed to providing the best product support and repair services to our customers.’ However, Nikon didn’t respond to iFixit’s question regarding whether or not former authorized shops will still have ‘access to parts or other official services.’

In its coverage, iFixit spoke with half-a-dozen of the authorized repair shops — most of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity —that received the letter and shared statements and thoughts from managers and owners. As you can expect, it doesn’t look good for the independent shops (or photographers who don’t want to ship their gear halfway across the country for a repair); repairing Nikon camera gear is about to get much more difficult after March 31, 2020.

We have contacted NIkon for a comment of our own and will update the article accordingly if we receive a response. In the meantime, head on over to iFixit to read the full report.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Photo Mechanic 6 will launch March 25 with faster speeds, new UI and 64-bit support

19 Mar

Photo ingesting software Photo Mechanic is about to receive a major update in the form of Photo Mechanic 6. This update follows the last major update, version 5, released way back in 2012.

According to Camera Bits, the company behind the software, Photo Mechanic 6 will be faster, offer 64-bit compatibility, have an ‘intuitive and compact’ user interface and support for selecting specific images to ingest.

Photo Mechanic is billed as a faster alternative to catalogue-based software like Lightroom, enabling photographers to quickly ingest, tag, cull, view, oragnize, and export images. Among the product’s features is support for ingesting images while shooting with a tethered camera, copying files from more than one card simultaneously, using saved GPS tracking logs to geotag photos and more.

Photo Mechanic 6 will be released on March 25. Existing customers who are eligible for an update will be able to purchase the new version for $ 89 USD; a new product license will cost $ 139 USD.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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New extended UK airport no-fly zones will take effect on March 13

13 Mar

Last month, UK officials announced plans to extend the no-fly zone around airports from the current radius of 1km / 0.6mi to 5km / 3mi. The change is in response to the Christmas 2018 Gatwick airport drone incident, during which time more than 140,000 passengers were impacted and more than 1,000 flights were disrupted. The change will go into effect tomorrow, March 13, 2019.

Though the precise threat small drones present to large aircraft remains unknown, a growing body of evidence suggests a mid-air collision between the two could potentially be catastrophic. No-fly zones aim to prevent these close calls, but many drone operators have been caught ignoring regulations.

Gatwick airport no-fly zone via NoFlyDrones.co.uk

In February 2018, a video was published showing a small UAV flying within close proximity of a passenger jet near the McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, for example. From February 2014 to April 2018, the US FAA had received 6,117 reports of drones being operated within an unsafe distance of manned aircraft, and Bloomberg reported in February 2018 that a small drone had struck a helicopter mid-flight, ultimately resulting in a crash.

Increasing the no-fly zone around airports will make it possible to use anti-drone technology to take down unwanted UAVs before they get too close to the facilities and runways. According to a report from BBC in January, the UK’s Heathrow Airport had been testing anti-drone systems before the Gatwick incident, but it’s unclear whether a permanent solution has been installed at either airport.

UK drone owners can view no-fly zones in the nation using the NoFlyDrones.co.uk website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon’s Coolpix A1000 and B600 superzooms to hit US shelves in March

27 Feb

Nikon is bringing its previously announced Coolpix A1000 and B600 superzoom cameras to the U.S. next month.

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The Coolpix A1000 is the more compact of the two and features a 16MP, 1/2.3″ BSI-CMOS sensor and 35x, 24-840mm equiv. F3.4-6.9 stabilized lens. Its 3″ touchscreen display can tilt downward by 180° for selfies, and a 1166k-dot electronic viewfinder is also available. The A1000 supports Nikon’s NRW Raw format and, on the video side, can capture UHD 4K video at 30p. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The A1000 is priced at $ 479.

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The Coolpix B600 is a larger, SLR-style superzoom with a substantially longer lens than the A1000. The F3.3-6.5, 60X lens has an equivalent focal range of 24-1440mm, and its stabilization system can reduce shake by up to 3 stops, according to Nikon. Like the A1000, it has a 16MP, 1/2.3″ BSI-CMOS sensor. Unlike that camera, its LCD is fixed and not touch-sensitive, there’s no EVF and Raw isn’t an option. The B600 can capture 1080/30p video (as well as 60i/50i) and also includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The MSRP of the camera is $ 329.

Press Release

NIKON INC. BOOSTS COOLPIX LINEUP WITH TWO EASY-TO-USE COMPACT CAMERAS THAT DELIVER OUTSTANDING ZOOM CAPABILITIES

The Stylish COOLPIX A1000 and Powerful COOLPIX B600 Boast Exceptional Zoom Lenses and Impressive Features

MELVILLE, NY (February 26, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. EST) — Today, Nikon Inc. announced the U.S. availability of the COOLPIX A1000 and COOLPIX B600, Nikon’s newest high-power point-and-shoot cameras with exceptional zoom capabilities built-in. Designed for the everyday photographer who wants optical capabilities that far exceed a smartphone, the A1000 and B600 feature lenses with 35x and 60x zoom respectively, enabling users to capture high-quality images across a wide range of shooting scenarios.

“Customers looking for a compact camera are seeking features smartphones simply cannot deliver, including amazing zoom and the low-light capabilities to capture the moments that matter most,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The COOLPIX A1000 and COOLPIX B600 are the ideal tools to deliver just that, by providing the photo, video and optical power that users need to take their photography to the next level.”

The COOLPIX A1000 – Stylish, Portable, Powerful

The stylish COOLPIX A1000 delivers high-powered features packed within a sleek, compact design that fits comfortably in a pocket – ideal for a fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyle. Designed with a 35x optical zoom lens that covers a versatile focal range that begins at the wide-angle 24mm1 equivalent and extends to the super-telephoto 840mm1 equivalent, the camera is versatile enough to handle everything from everyday events to a once-in-lifetime vacation.

Beyond stunning imagery, the COOLPIX A1000 is also designed to capture dazzling 4K UHD videos of life’s treasured moments and epic adventures.

Primary Features of the COOLPIX A1000:

  • Superb 35x optical zoom NIKKOR lens that covers an expansive 24-840mm1 range to capture anything from vast landscapes to distant subjects
  • With Dynamic Fine Zoom, sharpness is preserved throughout the digital zoom range, which can be expanded up to 70x2, or a focal length equivalent to approximately 1680 mm (in 35mm [135] format)
  • Macro close-up mode that allows users to enjoy macro photography when shooting as close as 1 cm (0.4 in.) to the lens at the maximum wide-angle position
  • 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor with an ISO range of up to 6400 (when using P/S/A/M modes) enables beautiful images even after the sun sets
  • 1166k-dot electronic eye-level viewfinder that aids in the framing process, enabling users to compose their shot even in bright light situations
  • Capture uncompressed RAW (NRW) images for easier editing and post-processing using Capture NX-D, Nikon’s RAW processing software, to create beautiful photographic works without compromising image quality
  • Lens-shift vibration reduction (VR) function to produce sharp images, even without a tripod
  • Record 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) videos with full stereo sound and Hybrid VR functionality for smooth and steady footage
  • Equipped with Nikon’s Active D-Lighting function for enhanced photo quality in high-contrast scenarios, such as shooting backlit portraits. In addition, the Active D-Lighting function, which effectively reduces the loss of details in highlights and shadows in scenes exhibiting great contrast, can also be applied during movie recording3
  • 1036K-dot 3-inch tilting touchscreen display for easier image capture from challenging angles
  • Snap Back Zoom and Side Zoom controls to comfortably adjust camera settings while using the viewfinder
  • Five pre-set Creative Modes and 20 different image effects for photographers who want to enhance their images in-camera
  • Built-in Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth®4 connectivity that makes sharing high quality Nikon images easy when using the Nikon SnapBridge5 app and a compatible mobile device

The COOLPIX B600– Impressive Zoom in a Compact, Easy-to-Use Design

The compact COOLPIX B600 is equipped with a 60x optical zoom NIKKOR lens that covers an impressive focal length range equivalent to 24-1440mm1, enabling users to easily capture events from wide-angle landscapes to super-telephoto close-ups of their favorite ballplayer sliding into home plate. This big zoom power is packed inside a simple and lightweight form factor, making it a great choice for the everyday photographer looking to document their life from both near and afar.

Primary Features of the COOLPIX B600:

  • 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and advanced EXPEED image-processing engine to capture detailed images in challenging light conditions
  • Nail the shot from a distance with a 60x optical zoom NIKKOR lens that spans a 24-1440mm1 equivalent focal range, or go even further with 120x2 Dynamic Fine Zoom
  • Equipped with Macro mode, which allows users to enjoy macro photography with shooting as close as 1 cm (0.4 in.) to the lens at the maximum wide-angle position
  • Capture sharp photos and smooth video thanks to the built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) mechanism capable of reducing camera shake to the same degree as a 3.0-stop6 increase in shutter speed with still photography, and 4-axis Hybrid VR that effectively reduces blur with movie recording
  • 19 scene modes automatically optimize camera setting according to the scene a user is trying to capture, such as the Multiple Exposure Lighten mode that captures dramatic nightscapes and light paths – like the flow of car lights
  • Select from 36 different creative effects and filters to easily bring a creative vision to life
  • Intuitive controls like Snap Back Zoom and Side Zoom controls make it possible for photographers of all levels to capture far-away subjects with ease
  • Record high-quality 1080/60i (50i) and 1080/30p Full HD movies with stereo sound
  • Seamless sharing thanks to the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth®4 connectivity and the Nikon’s SnapBridge5 app, which automatically transfers images to a compatible smart device7 while the user continues shooting
  • Support for the ML-L7 Remote Control, which is capable of a variety of operations over a Bluetooth® connection to the camera
  • Adoption of the EN-EL12 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, which can be charged over USB while inserted in the camera

Price and Availability

The new COOLPIX A1000 (available in Black) and COOLPIX B600 (available in Black) will be available in the U.S. this March 2019 for a suggested retail prices (SRP*) of $ 479.95 and $ 329.95, respectively.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh GR III, with updated lens, 24MP APS-C sensor and in-body IS to ship in March

22 Feb

Five months after its development announcement, the Ricoh GR III will be shipping this March for $ 899. Unlike the GR II, which was a very minor upgrade to the original, the major components on the GR III are all-new.

The controls have received a major shake-up as the GR III becomes the first in the series to use a touchscreen. The screen is a 3.0″, 1.04M-dot LCD, with all of the usual features like AF point selection, menu navigation and image review onboard.

It also gains image stabilization, with a 3-axis sensor-shift system offering shake reduction rated at up to four stops. This ‘SR’ system can also be used to simulate an AA filter for when moiré reduction is desired. And there’s now an ultrasonic dust reduction system for the sensor, which is perhaps a nod to the dust problems that some encountered on the GR I and II.

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The GR III’s autofocus system has been overhauled, with the addition of on-sensor phase detection. This, along with a redesigned lens, gives us hope that the GR II’s autofocus will be quicker than its predecessors. Ricoh is yet to provide any technical details but says it will be ‘faster and more responsive.’

The GR III’s 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens has six elements in four groups, with two elements being aspherical. The lens can now focus as close as 6cm (2.4″), compared to 10cm (3.9″) on the previous models. The GR III continues to offer a built-in 2-stop ND filter.

The resolution of the GR III’s APS-C sensor has been bumped from 16MP to 24MP, with a fully expanded ISO range of 100 – 102,400. The GR III can now record 1080/60p video, but no 4K. Ricoh has added a Type-C USB 3.0 port on the camera (which can be used to charge the battery,) and connectivity options now include Bluetooth in addition to Wi-Fi.

Two things that the GR III lost are its built-in flash and a fair amount of its battery life. The latter has plunged from 320 shots to 200 shots per charge – a 38% drop – despite using a higher capacity battery. More than likely, the addition of in-body IS puts the biggest hit on battery life.

As mentioned above, the GR III will be yours to purchase in March for $ 899. A new 0.75x wide-angle adapter (GW-4) will also be available for $ 249.

Press Release

Ricoh launches RICOH GR III high-end, compact digital camera

Newest model in the popular RICOH GR series delivers exceptional image quality in a smaller, lightweight body, making it ideal for street photography

WEST CALDWELL, NJ, February 21, 2019 – Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the launch of the highly anticipated RICOH GR III camera. The new camera is the latest model in the RICOH GR series, a lineup of high-end digital cameras providing exceptional image quality in a compact, lightweight body ideal for street photography, travel and capturing candid images.

The RICOH GR III features a newly designed lens, image sensor and imaging engine that further upgrade image quality, enhance functionality and improve usability. The 18.3mm F2.8 lens delivers exceptional imaging performance with a slim design, consisting of six optical elements in four groups, while retaining the 28mm angle of view. It produces the clearest, sharpest images in GR-series history while reducing distortion and chromatic aberration. It also comes equipped with a macro shooting capability with a minimum focusing distance of six centimeters.

In keeping with the GR-series concept of packaging high image quality in a compact design, the RICOH GR III camera body is smaller than its predecessor, and is equipped with a large APS-C-size CMOS image sensor with approximately 24.24 effective megapixels to produce high-resolution images. Its short start-up time of approximately 0.8 seconds allows for quick, responsive shooting. The camera’s high-definition LCD monitor features touchscreen operation, offering intuitive control of various camera functions right on the screen.

The camera also features a high-speed hybrid autofocus system, built-in shake reduction, in- camera image finishing options, USB Type-CTM, Bluetooth and wireless LAN connectivity options. An accessory wide-angle conversion lens designed exclusively for use with the RICOH GR III is also available. The GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens expands the angle of view to 21mm ultra-wide angle.

“The Ricoh GR III is the ultimate street camera,” said William Hereford, a Brooklyn-based pro photographer, who has been shooting with GR series cameras for years. “The image quality and ease of use are equally amazing. I literally don’t leave my house without this camera. The GR III fits perfectly both in my hand and my pocket, so it is always available to capture a moment.”

Hereford says that the image quality is so great, that photos taken with his GR cameras have the potential to be used in national ad campaigns and magazine articles.

Designed to be the ultimate street photography camera, the RICOH GR III is a totally new breed of GR camera that will give the user new and different creative possibilities.

| Pricing and Availability |

The RICOH GR III will be shipping in March 2019 and will be available at www.us.ricoh- imaging.com and retail outlets nationwide. Price is $ 899.95 for the camera, $ 249.95 for the GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens.

Ricoh GR III specifications

Price
MSRP $ 899 / £799
Body type
Body type Large sensor compact
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution 6000 x 4000
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 3:2
Effective pixels 24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 25 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
White balance presets 8
Custom white balance Yes
Image stabilization Sensor-shift
CIPA image stabilization rating 4 stop(s)
Uncompressed format RAW
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
  • Raw (14-bit DNG)
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.) 28 mm
Maximum aperture F2.8–16
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Manual focus Yes
Normal focus range 10 cm (3.94)
Macro focus range 6 cm (2.36)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fixed
Screen size 3
Screen dots 1,037,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Optical (optional)
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
Built-in flash No
External flash Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye
Flash X sync speed 1/4000 sec
Drive modes
  • Single Frame
  • Continuous Shooting
  • Bracketing
  • Multi-exposure
  • Interval Shooting
  • Interval Composite
Continuous drive 4.0 fps
Self-timer Yes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Highlight-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Modes
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types Internal, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage included 2GB
Connectivity
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
USB charging Yes
HDMI No
Microphone port No
Headphone port No
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth
Remote control Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description DB-110 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 200
Weight (inc. batteries) 257 g (0.57 lb / 9.07 oz)
Dimensions 109 x 62 x 33 mm (4.29 x 2.44 x 1.3)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Weather-resistant Fujifilm 16mm F2.8 lens to ship in March for $399

14 Feb

The Fujifilm XF 16mm F2.8 R WR is a compact and lightweight wide-angle prime for the company’s APS-C mirrorless bodies. The lens is equivalent to 24mm when mounted on an X-series camera, such as the new X-T30. It contains a total of 10 elements (two of which are aspherical) and nine rounded aperture blades.

The lens, which weighs just 155g/5.5oz, uses a stepping motor for ‘fast and quiet autofocus’ and can focus as close as 17cm/6.7in. The lens is weather-sealed at nine points around the barrel and can function at temperatures as low as -10°C/+14°F.

The XF 16mm F2.8 R WR will be available in black in March, with the silver version to follow in May. The suggested retail price for both is $ 399.

Take a look at our initial impressions of the new Fujifilm 16mm F2.8

Press Release

FUJINON XF 16mmF2.8 R WR Lens

Designed to deliver the high performance resolution from Fujifilm’s X-TRANS CMOS sensors through its precise optical design, the XF16mmF2.8 R WR adopts an internal focusing system and stepping motor to provide extremely fast and near-quiet auto-focusing. Although light and compact, the design incorporates metal components on the exterior of the lens, while interior is sealed around the barrel in nine different locations to ensure durability and weather-resistance to the surrounding environment. The XF16mmF2.8 R WR joins the collection of affordable, compact, and lightweight lenses within the FUJINON XF Lens System, making it the perfect companion to the XF23mmF2 R WR, XF35mmF2 R WR, and XF50mmF2 R WR lenses.

  • High Resolution Performance: Edge-to-edge sharpness from the center to the corners of the frame is achieved by the precise arrangement of 10 lens elements in 8 groups. This lens also includes two aspherical elements, which assist in suppressing the image degrading effects of chromatic aberration and field curvature imperfection.
  • Compact, Lightweight and Stylish design: Weighing in at 5.47oz (155g) and measuring just 1.79in (45.4mm) in length, this lens offers up the renowned image quality and refined style associated with the FUJINON XF family of lenses. With its metal exterior, precise click stops, and smooth dampening, this lens offers incredible image quality in a durable, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
  • Fast and Quiet Autofocus: The inner focusing AF system uses a stepping motor to move focusing elements into place through precise electrical pulses in order to achieve fast and near-silent autofocus performance.
  • Weather and Dust Resistant Durability: The lens is designed to operate in temperatures as low as 14° Fahrenheit and is sealed at nine points around the barrel, making it both weather and dust resistant.

FUJINON XF16mmF2.8 R WR Optional Accessories:

  • 49mm Front lens cap (FLCP-49)
  • 49mm Protect filter (PRF-49)

FUJINON XF16mmF2.8 R WR Specifications:

  • Lens construction: 10 elements, 8 groups (includes 2 aspherical elements)
  • Focal length (35mm format equivalent: f=16mm (24mm)
  • Angle of view: 83.2°
  • aperture: F2.8
  • aperture: F22
  • Aperture control
  • Number of blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm opening)
  • Stop size: 1/3EV (19 stops)
  • Focus range: 17cm and beyond
  • magnification: 0.13x
  • External dimensions: Diameter x Length: Approx: ?60.0mm x 45.4mm
  • Weight (excluding caps, hoods): Approx. 155g
  • Filter size: ?49mm10

Availability and Pricing

The FUJINON XF16mmF2.8 R WR lens is expected to be available in black in March 2019 or silver in May 2019, at a suggested retail price of USD $ 399.95 and CAD $ 499.99.

Fujifilm XF 16mm F2.8 R WR specifications

Principal specifications
Lens type Prime lens
Max Format size APS-C / DX
Focal length 16 mm
Image stabilization No
Lens mount Fujifilm X
Aperture
Maximum aperture F2.8
Minimum aperture F22
Aperture ring Yes
Number of diaphragm blades 9
Optics
Elements 10
Groups 8
Special elements / coatings 2 aspherical elements
Focus
Minimum focus 0.17 m (6.69)
Maximum magnification 0.13×
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Stepper motor
Full time manual Yes
Focus method Internal
Distance scale No
DoF scale No
Physical
Weight 155 g (0.34 lb)
Diameter 60 mm (2.36)
Length 45 mm (1.77)
Sealing Yes
Colour Black, silver
Filter thread 49 mm
Hood supplied Yes

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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