Meet the Leica CL, an interchangeable lens mirrorless camera with a 24 megapixel APS-C sensor. It uses Leica L mount and sits alongside the Leica TL2. The CL differs from the TL2 by offering an electronic viewfinder and a traditional control layout. Find out what else it’s got going for it in our 90 second ‘First look’ video.
Category: Uncategorized
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2017 Buying Guides: Best compacts, drones and phones
Looking for a lightweight compact camera that’s easy to bring with you anywhere? Or maybe you’re smartphone-shopping and want the one that takes the best picture. And what if you want to shoot from above? In these buyers guides we have recommendations for the best compact cameras, smartphones and drones.
If you want a compact camera that produces great quality photos without the hassle of changing lenses, there are plenty of choices available for every budget. All of the cameras in this buying guide have zoom lenses, with focal length ranges mostly spanning around 24-70mm (equivalent).
Best pocketable enthusiast cameras
The long zoom cameras in this buying guide fit into the enthusiast category, meaning that they offer solid build quality, electronic viewfinders and (usually) 4K video capture. All of these long zooms have 1″-type sensors, which slot in between the micro-sensors in phones and cheap compacts, and Micro Four Thirds and APS-C sensors in interchangeable lens cameras.
Best enthusiast long zoom cameras
The fixed lens camera market may be a bit niche, but it’s here that you’ll find some of the best cameras you can buy. Sensors ranging from APS-C format to full-frame are designed to match their lenses, so image quality is top-notch.
Best fixed prime lens cameras
All of the products in this guide fall into the ‘buy and fly’ category, meaning they require no extra components or customizations. Options range from personal ‘selfie’ drones to advanced models capable of producing professional-grade photos and video. Best consumer drones
In 2017 phone manufacturers turned to software and computational imaging methods to achieve better detail, wider dynamic range and lower noise levels, as well as high-quality zooming and DSLR-like bokeh effects. We’ve put the latest flagship smartphones through their paces and can point you in the right direction.
Best smartphone cameras
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2017 Buying Guides: Best cameras for any budget
Shopping for a camera with a set budget? No problem! We’ve rounded up our favorite cameras, broken them into price brackets from around $ 500 to well over $ 2000 and listed our favorite choices. So, if you want to give that special someone a holiday gift that won’t bust your wallet, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re looking for a camera for a specific use case, we have plenty of suggestions right here.
The cameras in this buying guide are light and portable, and several feature selfie-friendly LCDs. Generally speaking, you won’t find a lot of direct controls or a lot of customizability, and 4K video is rare, but for those seeking a point-and-shoot experience with better image quality, these cameras fit the bill.
Best cameras under $ 500
The cameras in this buying guide tend to offer more direct controls than cheaper models, better autofocus systems, and some feature 4K video capture as well. Some of them are easy to pick up and use, while others require a bit more work to get the hang of.
Best cameras under $ 1000
Cameras in the $ 1000-1500 price range have excellent sensors (some full-frame), advanced autofocus systems and 4K video capture. Expect plenty of direct controls and customizability and, in some cases, weather-sealed bodies.
Best cameras under $ 1500
As you approach the $ 2000 price point you’ll find flagship APS-C and Four Thirds cameras, built for speed and durability. You’ll also find a handful of full-frame ILCs and DSLRs, with their own unique selling points.
Best cameras under $ 2000
If you’re a serious enthusiast or working pro, the very best digital cameras on the market will cost you at least $ 2000. That’s a lot of money, but generally speaking these cameras offer the highest resolution, the best build quality and the most advanced video specs out there, as well as fast burst rates and top-notch autofocus.
Best cameras over $ 2000
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2017 Buying Guides: Best cameras for every kind of photographer
There’s never been a better time to shop for a new camera, but the number of options available can be overwhelming. In this series of buying guides we’ve provided customized recommendations for several use cases, from shooting landscapes to buying a first camera for a student photographer.
In each of these guides you’ll find one or two main recommendations, and detailed content on several other cameras that deserve your consideration. Our recommendations span product class and cost, but if you’d rather shop by price, click here
If you’re specifically looking for a compact camera, check out our phones, drones and compacts buying guide hub here
Maybe you want better photos in low light. Maybe you’re tired of digital zoom. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for a capable, beginner-friendly camera to grow and learn with, we’ve got you covered in our guide to best cameras for beginners.
Best cameras for beginners
Quick. Unpredictable. Unwilling to sit still. Kids really are the ultimate test for a camera’s autofocus system. In this guide we’ve compiled a shortlist of what we think are the best options for parents trying to keep up with young kids.
Best cameras for parents
There’s no doubt that the digital revolution made it easier than ever before to pick up a camera and start learning photography. But it hasn’t necessarily gotten easier to choose a first camera. We’re here to help.
Best cameras for students
Whether you’re piling the family in the minivan for a trip to the Magic Kingdom or backpacking through Southeast Asia, you’re going to want to capture the experience with photographs.
Best cameras for travel
Are you a speed freak? Hungry to photograph anything that goes zoom? Or perhaps you just want to get Sports Illustrated level shots of your child’s soccer game. Keep reading to find out which cameras we think are best for sports and action shooting.
Best cameras for sports and action
Video features have become an important factor to many photographers when choosing a new camera. Read on to find out which cameras we think are best for the videophile, at a variety of price points.
Best cameras for video
Landscape photography isn’t as simple as just showing up in front of a beautiful view and taking a couple of pictures. Landscape shooters have a unique set of needs and requirements for their gear, and we’ve selected some of our favorites in this buying guide.
Best cameras for landscapes
Those shooting portraits and weddings need a camera with a decent autofocus system, which won’t give up in low interior lighting. Good image quality at medium/high ISO sensitivity settings is a must, and great colors straight out of the camera will make your life much easier. These days, video is a big deal too. Read on to see which cameras are best suited to those tasks.
Best cameras for people and events
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Facebook just doubled the resolution of photos in Facebook Messenger
Photo messaging has been around for a long time, but as smartphone cameras get better and better, this form of ‘visual communication’ is only becoming more common. That’s why, earlier today, Facebook announced a major update to Facebook Messenger that doubles the resolution of the photos you send from 2K to 4K—or, more specifically, to a max of 4096 x 4096 pixels.
“We heard that people want to send and receive high resolution photos in Messenger,” reads the release from Facebook, “and considering people send more than 17 billion photos through Messenger every month, we’re making your conversations richer, sharper, and better than ever.”
And just in case you’re wondering: this resolution bump should not affect speed. According to Facebook, “your photos will also be sent just as quickly before, even at this new, higher resolution.”
Here are a few before and after samples that show what doubling the resolution from the previous 2K looks like IRL.
*The images on the left were reproduced to reflect the previous default resolution at 2K. The images on the right reflect the new default resolution at 4K
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To take advantage of the new feature yourself, update your FB Messenger app to the latest version and every photo you send should automatically go out at up to 4096 x 4096 pixels.
For now, the feature is limited to iPhone and Android users in the US, Canada, France, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. Additional countries will be added ‘in the coming weeks.’
Press Release
Making Visual Messaging Even Better – Introducing High Resolution Photos in Messenger
By Sean Kelly & Hagen Green, Product Managers, Messenger
The way people message today is no longer limited by just text; visual messaging as our new universal language is much more emotional and expressive. Whether you’re catching up over moments big and small — like a recent vacation, an amazing meal at a new restaurant, a new member of the family, or the first snow day of the year — sharing photos of our experiences brings our conversations to life.
We’re making significant investments in how people communicate visually on Messenger. That’s why today, we’re excited to share that people can send and receive photos in Messenger at 4K resolution — or up to 4,096 x 4,096 pixels per image — the highest quality many smartphones support. We heard that people want to send and receive high resolution photos in Messenger — and considering people send more than 17 billion photos through Messenger every month — we’re making your conversations richer, sharper, and better than ever.
Your photos will also be sent just as quickly before, even at this new, higher resolution.
You may be curious how much of a difference 4K resolution makes. Take a look at the before and after examples in the gallery above. On the right at 4K resolution, once you zoom in, the photo is much sharper and clearer so you can see every detail. That’s what we mean by bringing your conversations to life.
To send and share photos at 4K resolution, first update your Messenger app to make sure you have the latest version. Then open a conversation and tap the camera roll icon. Select the photo, tap send, and the person you’re messaging with will receive the high resolution photo.
Starting today, we are rolling out 4K resolution on both iPhone and Android to people in the US, Canada, France, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. In the coming weeks, we’re planning to roll out 4k resolution to additional countries.
We know that every message matters to you, no matter how or what you’re sharing. We appreciate that you continue to use Messenger to connect with the people you care about most.
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Analysis: The Sony a7R III is still a star eater
We sent some files to our friend Jim Kasson for analysis, and he confirms that the Sony a7R III is definitely still a Star Eater, despite several claims to the contrary that have been published online over the past week.
Looking at Kasson’s graphs, one can clearly see the noise reduction kick in near Nyquist in Kasson’s energy plots. Indeed, in our own shots of the stars with the a7R III and latest a7R II (firmware v3.00 and above), our final files only show stars that are larger than one pixel with a few neighboring pixels: suggesting that smaller stars are indeed ‘eaten’ or dimmed due to a spatial filtering algorithm.
At a 3.2-second exposure, the ‘spacial filtering’ (Star Eater) is very mild, and won’t affect your stars. 
But as soon as you hit 4-seconds, spacial filtering kicks in big time, causing the same Star Eater problems that was seen in the a7R II This is a missed opportunity for Sony, and something dedicated astrophotographers will want to consider when deciding between the a7R III and other options that don’t have this same issue (a Nikon D850 for example). Other photographers happy with the number of stars still in their shots simply won’t care.
We’ll drop in one of our sample photos shortly for your pixel-peeping pleasure. But for now, we can say this with confidence: while a lot of stars still survive ‘Star Eater’, the a7R III continues the trend of noise reduction that dims or erases small stars at exposure longer than 3.2s.
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DJI AeroScope demo shows drone tracking tech in action
In October, DJI introduced a new technology called AeroScope that makes it possible for law enforcement and other officials to track drones that broadcast info. The system was launched to address growing concerns about drones being operated in forbidden locations, such as near airports or over wildfires. AeroScope works by picking up telemetry and ID data broadcast by DJI drone.
The Verge recently shared a video showing AeroScope in action.
The system, which is a box-shaped device that includes a touchscreen display, issues an alert when it detects a drone nearby. Officials can pull up the ID and telemetry info the drone is broadcasting and potentially use that to identify the operator. A explained in the video, AeroScope shows the operator’s email address, which officials can message for direct contact.
Speaking to DIY Photography, DJI said that email addresses were displayed to users in a beta version of the AeroScope software, and that such abilities won’t be included in the final version.
There are some limitations to the AeroScope system. For example, drones that aren’t registered won’t provide info that helps officials identify the operator. As well, the system is localized, meaning it can only detect drones within a couple miles of the device. DJI previously explained that it chose this localized tracking method to prevent drone data from being easily amassed in government databases.
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Sigma’s high-end Art lenses get $100 Black Friday discount
Sigma has announced its Black Friday sale, and fans of the company’s high-end Art line will want to pay attention. This ‘unprecedented’ Art sale takes up to $ 100 off both prime and zoom Art models, and runs from now until November 30th.
Buyers will need to order the lenses through Sigma’s website or shop through a Sigma authorized dealer in the US to get the discounted pricing.
The Black Friday sale covers eight prime and five zoom Art lenses (below), plus the MC-11 mount converter. All of the lenses are discounted by $ 100, with the exception of the 30mm F1.4 | Art lens, which is only discounted by $ 50. The lens converter is also discounted by $ 100.
Here’s the list of all 13 lenses on discount starting today:
High-Performance Art Prime lenses
- 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art ($ 1,599 Retail Price) World’s First F1.8 Ultra-Wide Angle – $ 100.00 off
- 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art ($ 899 Retail Price) Bright & Sharp Wide-Angle – $ 100.00 off
- 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art ($ 849 Retail Price) Front Filter Compatible, Fast-Aperture Wide Angle – $ 100.00 off
- 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Art ($ 499 Retail Price) A Low-Light Pro for APS-C – $ 50.00 off
- 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art ($ 899 Retail Price) A Groundbreaking Flagship Wide-Angle – $ 100.00 off
- 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art ($ 949 Retail Price) Redesigned for High Megapixel DSLRs – $ 100.00 off
- 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art ($ 1,199 Retail Price) Award-Winning Ultimate Portrait Lens – $ 100.00 off
- 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art ($ 1,399 Retail Price) Award-Winning Prime with Reach – $ 100.00 off
Versatile Premium Art Zooms Lenses
- 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art ($ 1,599 Retail Price) Ultra-Wide Zoom Excellence – $ 100.00 off
18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art ($ 799 Retail Price) The First and Fastest of its Kind – $ 100.00 off - 24-35mm F2 DG HSM Art ($ 999 Retail Price) Prime Performance, Zoom Versatility – $ 100.00 off
- 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM Art ($ 899 Retail Price) Exceptional Usability for High-Resolution Cameras – $ 100.00 off
- 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art ($ 1,099 Retail Price) Larger Aperture and Long Reach for your APS-C Sensor – $ 100.00 off
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Moment releases new case and lenses for Apple iPhone X
Moment has launched a new photography case and lenses for the iPhone X, all of them currently listed for preorder on the company’s website. The protective case, which is simply called Photo Case, is black with a canvas or optional walnut wood backing, and is joined by wide-angle, macro, super fisheye, and telephoto lens options.
The lenses attached directly to the Photo Case.
Moment’s system gives the iPhone X—and select other phones—a sort of interchangeable lens system, enabling photographers to quickly attach and remove various lenses to the device as needed. The Photo Case doubles as a slim protective case, featuring microsuede on the inside, a thin rubberized body, and support for an optional wrist strap.
The lenses, meanwhile, are made with glass and feature Moment’s new bayonet system for locking the lens to the case. Moment explains that its lenses are durable due to the use of “aerospace grade metal” and a unique hardening process. The company offers a 12-month warranty for their lenses.
The Moment for iPhone X is available to preorder at the following prices:
- Photo Case: $ 30
- Wide Lens: $ 100
- Superfish Lens: $ 90
- Macro Lens: $ 90
- Tele Lens: $ 100
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Sigma releases full-res sample photos captured with 16mm F1.4 DC DN lens
The new Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lens made for APS-C E-Mount and M43 cameras has a lot of crop-sensor shooters very intrigued. Sigma says this lens boasts quality on par with its Art lens lineup, and our own hands-on at PPE 2017 was very positive. But before you order the lens—which ships at the end of this month and costs a very tempting $ 450—you’ll want to check out the gallery below.
Sigma Global has finally released official, full-resolution sample photos captured with the new lens. Despite the lens being made primarily for APS-C E-Mount, Sigma shooter Wataru Nakamura used a Sony A7RII to capture these samples in the camera’s 3:2 crop mode (17.8MP resolution).
Check them out for yourself below, or head over to the Sigma Global website to download the samples yourself:
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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)