360Photography

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  • Firmware update for Panasonic G85 panning issue expected next week

    We recently reviewed the Panasonic Lumix G85, and while it scored a Gold Award, eagle-eyed readers noticed a ‘stickiness’ in panning video clips when mechanical image stabilization was turned on. You can see an example in our video above.

    Last week we reached out to Panasonic representatives regarding the issue, and today we received the following official statement:

    “Less than a week ago, Panasonic became aware of some reports that the G85’s image stabilization wasn’t delivering the same level of smooth performance that the GX85 is while slow panning in video mode. Panasonic is working to solve the issue with a firmware update as soon as we can. Panasonic appreciates all the valuable feedback and always focuses on meeting or exceeding our customers’ expectations.”

    We’re told the update should be available as soon as next week, which is very encouraging. I’d like to personally thank our readers for being so quick to notice the panning problem. It’s because of you this issue was so rapidly addressed by Panasonic.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • No dual-cam? No problem: Patch app for iOS uses neural networks to create fake bokeh images

    Most dual-cam equipped smartphones offer a ‘fake bokeh’ feature. Thanks to the slightly offset position of their two lenses, cameras in devices like the Apple iPhone 7 Plus, Huawei P9 or LG G5, can distinguish between objects in the foreground and background of an image. By applying digital blur to the latter they can simulate effects of shallow depth-of-field you would typically achieve with a DSLR and fast lens.

    If your phone just has one camera, there are still a few pure software solutions out there to achieve the same effect. The Patch app for iOS is the latest and uses neural networking to identify the foreground subject in an image and isolate it from the background. If the scene is too complex for the algorithms to work automatically, there is also a manual selection tool that can be used to optimize the results. You can paint in areas that should be sharp, and remove areas that should be blurred. A zooming function allows for greater precision in this task. 

    Once the selection is finalized users can choose from 5 different blur strengths to generate the desired effect. Patch does not have any particular camera hardware requirements and therefore works with most iOS devices. If you want to try the app you can download a free version that will leave a watermark on your images from the Apple App Store. A $ 1 in-app purchase will get you an upgrade to the watermark-free version.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Tiny marvel: Panasonic LX10 sample photos

    Out of camera JPEG shot using the pop-up flash. You can definitely have a lot of fun shooting shooting around with the LX10. ISO 6400, F2 1/60 sec. Photo by Dan Bracaglia

    The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 is a premium compact camera sporting a 20MP 1″-type sensor and a F1.4-2.8 24-72mm equivalent zoom lens. It is both capable and easy to bring anywhere, making it an attractive option for those seeking a pocket camera. It does face some stiff competition from other 20MP 1″-type cameras like the Canon G7 X Mark II and Sony RX100 IV (and V), but so far we’ve had a great time shooting with it.

    See our Panasonic LX10 sample gallery

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Accessory review: Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro

    If you’re like me, chances are good that a normal part of your mobile kit for photo travel is a laptop computer. However, given the choice, it would also be one of the first things I would jettison from my travel kit thanks to the added weight and space it consumes in my pack. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a viable way to do it since I usually need to back up data, do some editing in the field, and share images to social media or to clients.

    That’s exactly the challenge the Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro is designed to address. It’s a hard drive with its own built-in Wi-Fi network, internal SD card slot, USB connection, and dedicated iOS and Android apps. In theory, it should appeal to those who want to back up photos and videos in the field, access their data from a mobile device such as an iPad, and even do some editing of their files without a computer.

    What’s new

    This is the second iteration of Western Digital’s My Passport Wireless line of products; we reviewed the original about a year and a half ago and, although it was great in concept, it felt a bit like a first attempt at a product with room to improve. In fact, a Western Digital representative told us that the company listened carefully to users of the first edition, and that most of the improvements in this updated model were in direct response to user feedback.

    On the hardware side of things, the My Passport Wireless Pro has a much faster SD card slot than its predecessor, with a 75 MB/sec read speed compared to 10 MB/sec on the previous model. It also supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi using both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, and WD tells us the new model is capable of WiFi data transfers up to 20 MB/sec compared to 9 MB/sec on the first edition. Additionally, battery capacity has been improved significantly, from 3400 mAh to 6400 mAh, providing a claimed 11.5 hours of mobile power (6-8 hours under heavy use).

    However, according to WD, one of the most common feature requests was directed at the MyCloud mobile app, which didn’t provide a way for users to export photos from the drive to the Camera Roll on their device. The new WD My Cloud app facilitates this, though how it works will depend whether you’re using JPEG or Raw files.

    Key Features:

    • 2TB/3TB 5400rpm hard drive
    • 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
    • Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
    • SD 3.0 card reader
    • USB 2.0 port for external card readers
    • Connectivity to common cloud services, including Adobe Creative Cloud
    • Rechargeable battery with up to 11.5 hours of operation
    • IOS and Android apps
    • Plex media server 

    The My Passport Wireless Pro is available in two capacities: a 2TB version which retails for $ 229 and a 3TB version which retails for $ 249.

    Setup

    Initial setup of the My Passport Wireless Pro is fairly straightforward, though I did find myself referring to the user manual on a couple occasions. If you’re working from a mobile device you’ll need to download the WD My Cloud app from the appropriate app store before starting. Then, using either a computer or mobile device you simply turn on the drive, connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot it creates using a web browser or the My Cloud app, and follow the setup instructions.

    The web-based dashboard is intuitive and puts most functions within easy reach. However, since the Passport doesn’t recognize Raw image files by type they get categorized as ‘Other.’ (Which explains the 300GB of ‘other’ files in the graph.)

    During setup you have the option of connecting to the internet. The My Passport Wireless Pro accomplishes this by acting as a bridge between your computer or mobile device and the Wi-Fi network of your choice. When configuring the Wi-Fi connection it’s important to pay attention to the option that asks whether you want to share the device on the network: if you’re on a private network this can be a useful feature, but if you’re on a public network, such as at a hotel or a coffee shop, everyone else on the network will be able to see your files as well.

    Once the setup process is complete there are basically three ways to connect to the My Passport Wireless Pro. The first is via a direct Wi-Fi connection between the Passport and your computer or mobile device. This works whether the Passport is connected to the internet or not, and it allows you to access the contents of the drive using the My Cloud app or a computer. Second, assuming you’ve configured your My Passport to connect to a Wi-Fi network (and selected the option to share its contents), any computer on the network will be able to access the drive. In a sense, it acts like a mini-NAS. Finally, the My Passport can always be plugged directly into a computer using a USB 3.0 cable. In this scenario it just acts like a normal hard drive, but a direct connection provides the best performance.

    The Passport’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot can act as a bridge to connect to the internet and supports connections from multiple devices simultaneously.

    Backing up data

    My typical photography workflow when traveling revolves around a laptop computer and various attached hard drives or SSDs. The prospect of leaving all that at home, and traveling only with the My Passport Wireless Pro and an iPad was enticing, so I decided to put it through a real world test.

    A couple months ago I traveled to the city of Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories to photograph the northern lights. This type of trip requires disciplined data management as it involves shooting multiple DSLRs at one time, with each camera capturing hundreds, or even thousands, of photos per night while capturing time-lapse sequences. I would have to recycle my cards and needed a foolproof, reliable way to back up all the images. (In the interest of full disclosure, I ran my normal workflow in parallel for security.)

    I quickly came to appreciate the ease-of-use of the My Passport Wireless Pro. Upon returning to the hotel every morning, I simply turned it on and began inserting cards to back up while I focused on re-organizing my gear and charging batteries. The device can be set to back up cards automatically or require the user to initiate transfer. I settled for the automatic transfer option, so all I had to do was insert a card and go about my business. A row of LEDs, which double as a battery indicator, dutifully blinked away while data was copied, and once they stopped I could just insert the next card and move on.

    The My Passport Wireless pro organizes card data into a very logical hierarchy.

    This process works very well, in part thanks to the way the My Passport Wireless Pro organizes data. When a card is inserted, its entire contents are copied to a unique folder, and all folders are organized by date. The result is a well-organized hierarchy of every card you’ve backed up along the way. It also supports incremental backups, so inserting a card with a few extra files added doesn’t result in redundant backups or duplicated data; only new files are copied.

    Working with images

    The My Passport Wireless Pro did a great job of backing up my data, but that’s only part of the equation. Western Digital’s premise is that you can leave your laptop at home and work entirely from a mobile device. To access images on the drive you’ll need to download the WD My Cloud app, available for both iOS and Android. (I did my testing on an iPad. There may be minor differences when working from Android.)

    The My Cloud app makes it easy to navigate and view all the contents of the drive, though there are some limitations. If you’re working with JPEG files it’s possible to preview them inside the app, save them to your Camera Roll, or share them with other apps on your device.

    If you’re working with JPEG files it’s easy to preview your images in the My Cloud app. The share button in the upper right corner allows you to save images to the camera roll or send them to other apps.

    The user interface isn’t quite as polished as I’d like. In particular, there’s no way to display a grid of thumbnail images across the screen, similar to what you would find in the Camera Roll or many other apps. Instead, you’re basically browsing the file system in a single column with tiny thumbnails, leaving much of the screen unused until you select an image. It works, but it seems like a missed opportunity to make the app much more user friendly.

    Unfortunately, there’s no support for Raw images inside the My Cloud app. It’s possible to see the files, but clicking on one results in a giant question mark instead of an image preview. If you want to work with Raw images you really need to shoot Raw + JPEG. This essentially provides a thumbnail image for each Raw file so that you know which image you’re looking at in the app. Simply use the JPEG files to find the desired image, then select the Raw file with the same filename. From here you have a couple options to work with a Raw file.

    If you’re shooting Raw files it’s not possible to view them directly inside the My Cloud app. However, it’s possible to save them to your Camera Roll (DNG) or send them to other apps for processing. Shooting Raw + JPEG serves to provide thumbnail images to help find the file you’re looking for.

    The quickest way is to save your Raw image(s) to your Camera Roll or send them to another app for editing. This works fine if you’re working with DNG images, especially now that iOS recognizes this type of file. However, since very few cameras save DNG files natively, chances are pretty good that whatever you’re backing up in the field will be in a different format. In my case, I had thousands of Nikon NEF files, so this wasn’t an option.

    Alternatively, the My Cloud app can be linked to several common cloud storage services. At the time of publication, this includes Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, WD’s own MyCloud and Adobe Creative Cloud. This means that you can easily copy any of your files to a cloud service where you may have additional ways to work with it. The inclusion of Adobe Creative Cloud is particularly useful since files there can be opened and edited by Adobe apps on your mobile device. (Assuming you have a Creative Cloud subscription, of course.)

    Popular cloud storage services, including Adobe Creative Cloud, are integrated with the My Cloud app, making it easy to copy Raw files from the Passport to another location.

    Performance

    One of the knocks against the original My Passport Wireless was speed, and Western Digital has clearly focused on improving this aspect of the user experience. In particular, WD says the SD card slot can now read data at 75 MB/sec, compared to 10 MB/sec on the original model. In practice, I found that it took about 5 minutes to back up a card with 10GB of data using the built-in card reader. By comparison, connecting the drive to my laptop via USB 3.0 and using the MacBook’s built-in SD card reader to copy the same data set to the Passport took around 2 minutes and 30 seconds, or about half the time. This ratio stayed fairly constant across a number of informal tests. The card reader on the Passport isn’t a speed demon, but it’s fast enough for a portable backup solution that can run on its own while I focus other things.

    There’s also a USB port on the device in case you need to back up files from a different type of media, such as a CFast 2.0 card. Unfortunately, it’s a USB 2.0 port, so it won’t support the faster transfer speeds most of us are accustomed to with USB 3.0. In practice, however, it wasn’t that much slower than using the built-in card reader on the device. The 10GB reference data set I mentioned above typically transferred in about 6 minutes and 30 seconds, compared to 5 minutes for the built-in card reader. However, it seems like another missed opportunity given that media like CFast 2.0 or XQD cards have the potential to transfer data much more quickly.

    WD claims the battery on the My Passport Wireless Pro can last up to 11.5 hours, or 6-8 hours under heavy use. In practice, I typically got around 8 hours of use on a charge. The drive comes with an AC power adapter for charging or to keep the drive powered full time.

    Build quality

    One important feature of any device meant for travel or mobile use is durability. The My Passport Wireless Pro feels dense and solid, and I never ran into any trouble with my review unit. My only concern revolves around the plastic case, which seems more appropriate for a desktop hard drive than a mobile device. It’s picked up a few scuffs and scratches along the way, but it has otherwise held up pretty well. I suspect that it might look a lot rougher around the edges after a year of heavy use, but I’m reasonably confident that the damage would be cosmetic and not functional. 

    Conclusion

    Overall I really liked using the My Passport Wireless Pro, and under the right circumstances it can be a great solution. For example, if you’re the type of person who just saves all your images on memory cards until you get home, it’s a great way to provide an extra layer of security for your data while traveling: simply plug in your cards and they all get duplicated to a second location for safety.

    It’s also a great solution if you work mostly with JPEG images, want to do some editing and sharing of images on the road, but prefer to leave your laptop at home. In fact, I think this is probably the sweet spot for the Passport. In this scenario it really can relieve you of the burden of carrying a laptop all the time, but still provides a way to access and perform basic editing of every photo from your trip in one place.

    Power users will likely find some utility in the device, but not enough to meet all their needs, particularly when working mainly from Raw files. That said, it can still be a very useful tool. In particular, I appreciated the simplicity of using the device to back up my cards in a highly organized manner with minimal effort.

    Western Digital has addressed many, though not all, of the shortcomings on the original My Passport Wireless, and overall I was impressed with the My Passport Wireless Pro. However, whether it’s the right tool for you will come down to your particular use case and whether the features meet your specific needs. 

    What we like:

    • Automated, organized backups
    • Integrated mobile app
    • Integration with cloud services
    • Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
    • Excellent battery life

    What we don’t like:

    • No way to view Raw files in My Cloud app
    • Plastic case scratches easily
    • USB 2.0 connection for non-SD media types

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Canon is selling a gray version of the Rebel T6

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    A gray edition of the entry-level Rebel T6 has appeared in Canon USA’s online store. The kit includes a gray strap and standard-issue black EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS II lens, and the camera grip features a brown, leather-like finish. Like the black Rebel T6 the gray edition is listed at $ 550, but Canon is currently offering a $ 50 discount on the original kit that isn’t extended to the new version.

    Read our Canon EOS Rebel T6 Review

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Affinity Photo beta now available for Windows

    Following the launch of a Mac version in summer 2015, Serif has announced the availability of Affinity Photo for Windows beta. This version of the software has been in development for several months, and though the final Windows version hasn’t yet been released, anyone can download the beta now and try it out for free. As with any beta application, however, users should expect to encounter bugs.

    Affinity Photo is an image editing program from Serif that was originally launched only for macOS. The company bills its software as a much cheaper but no less robust alternative to Adobe Photoshop. The Windows beta was scheduled to launch earlier this summer, but was delayed for reasons that are unclear. Those who download the beta will be the first users to try the following features, which will be available in Affinity Photo version 1.5 for Mac next month:

    • HDR merge
    • Focus stacking
    • Macros
    • Tone mapping
    • Batch processing
    • 360 degree image editing

    Though the beta version is free, Serif plans to offer the finalized Affinity Photo for Windows at the same $ 49.99 USD price point as the Mac version. Beta users who encounter bugs are encouraged to report them in the software’s related forum.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 2016 Roundup: Interchangeable Lens Cameras $900-1200

    These days, many (if not most) consumers are likely to shop based on price and capability, rather than according to whether a certain model contains a mirror, or not. We think this is a good thing; with all the increased competition, cameras are improving more and at a faster rate than ever before. From the gear perspective, it’s certainly an exciting time to be a photographer.

    In this category, you’ll find both mirrorless and DSLR cameras that are highly capable under a variety of shooting situations, offer built-in high-spec viewfinders – either optical and electronic – and an extensive array of external controls. The biggest differences in performance tend to come down to autofocus sophistication and video capability, but neither of those is dictated by the presence or lack of mirror.

    The contenders are:

    • Canon EOS 80D
    • Canon EOS M5
    • Canon EOS Rebel T6s
    • Nikon D7200
    • Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
    • Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85
    • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
    • Pentax K-3 II
    • Sony Alpha a77 II
    • Sony Alpha a6300

    Most of the cameras in this roundup are built around either Four Thirds or APS-C sensors. Sensor size plays a large part in determining the image quality a camera is ultimately capable of and, in general, the larger a camera’s sensor, the better the image quality and the more control you have over depth-of-field. APS-C sensors are larger than Four Thirds chips, but the differences are rarely huge.

    Of course, the sensor sizes and image quality of these cameras are not the only thing that varies; the feature sets and performance of each camera are also quite different across the board. Within this category you’ll find weather-sealed cameras, cameras that can capture 4K video, cameras that can shoot bursts at incredibly high speeds with autofocus, and cameras that are simply well-balanced all-rounders. Which one should you buy? Read on to find out…

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • DxO ONE adds Raw image workflow for iOS

    DxO announced that it has added a full Raw processing workflow to its iPhone-connected DxO ONE camera. Taking advantage of Raw image support in iOS 10, the update provides one-touch transfer of DxO ONE Raw files to the iOS photo library, from which images can be processed or shared.

    Additionally, the company has introduced new Raw files that save an average of 30% space, improved responsiveness and boot time, faster application startup, full remote control of the camera using a direct Wi-Fi connection and a smart lighting feature to enhance dynamic range in difficult lighting situations.

    A free update to the DxO ONE iOS app (v2.1) will be available in November, however the company did not provide a specific date.

    Press release:

    DxO ONE 2.1 update integrates full RAW processing workflow in an iPhone environment

    DxO ONE update makes mobile an option for demanding photographers

    PARIS—November 10, 2016—DxO, pioneer in digital imaging technologies, announces a major update to its award-winning DxO ONE miniaturized camera that lets demanding photographers take their mobile image making to the next level. Less than three months after the release of a 2.0 update that brought Wi-Fi as a new feature, DxO continues to extend the use of its pro-quality camera by introducing the world’s first seamless RAW workflow, direct from the DxO ONE to your iPhone or iPad. The version 2.1 update takes full advantage of RAW support in iOS 10, enabling a one-touch transfer of DxO ONE RAW files to the iOS Photos library where they can be processed on-the-go. Available to all DxO ONE users free of charge, the update also enables direct Wi-Fi remote control, and adds other performance boosting enhancements.

    The DxO ONE camera revolutionized mobile photography by being the first to combine a large, high- resolution sensor and fast, razor-sharp lens in a miniaturized design that pairs directly with the iPhone or iPad. From the start, the DxO ONE has allowed photographers to store images in the RAW file format, which offers superior quality over JPEGs and considerable flexibility. Until now, post processing of RAW images necessitated they first be imported to a desktop computer. With this latest update, the DxO ONE camera can seamlessly transfer RAW photos direct to the iPhone where they can be further enhanced by Google Snapseed, Adobe Lightroom Mobile, and other popular iOS photo editing applications that have embraced support for mobile RAW image processing.

    “I prefer to capture in RAW, because it gives me enhanced dynamic range, which is especially useful in bringing back details in blown highlights and deep shadows,” said professional photographer Camilla Ferrari. “Thanks to new developments by Apple and DxO, I’m now able to transfer RAW images from my DxO ONE camera right to my iPhone with a single tap, where I can process them in Adobe Lightroom Mobile and other iOS apps while I’m still on location. Welcome to the future!”

    To further streamline the new mobile RAW workflow, DxO has introduced a lighter and faster recording speed for RAW files, which squeezes an average of 30% more storage space out of existing microSD cards. Overall responsiveness has also been improved, with a faster boot time for the camera, quicker application start-up, and improvements to the loading speed of the photo gallery.

    The update also adds a number of other enhancements to the user experience, including a direct Wi- Fi connection that provides full remote control over the DxO ONE camera even when no existing Wi- Fi network is available. Version 2 also added a host of innovative features further extending the many uses for the DxO ONE, including the ability to tap into the Wi-Fi network that your iPhone is already logged into for remote control in-home or in-office, and a Mobile Smart Lighting feature designed to dramatically enhance the dynamic range of photos taken in tricky lighting situations. DxO also recently introduced a complete ecosystem of accessories, including a waterproof outdoor shell, ultra- compact stand and optical adapters, all intended to let photographers take their DxO ONE absolutely anywhere, without restrictions, to extend their creativity even further.

    Pricing & Availability

    The DxO ONE Miniaturized Pro Quality Connected Camera for iPhone® and iPad® is available for purchase at dxo.com, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, Target and other respected retailers for $ 499 (US).

    The DxO ONE 2.1 iOS app and companion Apple Watch® app will be made available in November as free software updates via the iTunes App Store®. Every DxO ONE user is invited to download DxO Connect for Mac/PC, or on Mac DxO OpticsPro for Photos – DxO ONE camera only, both of which harness the power of the DxO OpticsPro photo engine designed to make your best photos look even better.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Omnivision introduces new sensors for mobile devices with wider DR and lower noise

    Chinese sensor manufacturer OmniVision Technologies has announced four new image sensors for smartphones that feature improved dynamic range and noise performance. The 16MP and 20MP sensors offer higher full-well capacity which allows pixels to collect more charge before clipping: increasing dynamic range.

    A new structure allows pixels to convert more of the light captured into electrical charge, resulting in a claimed 12.5% improvement in sensitivity, giving better low light performance. Better separation between pixels also improves noise by helping to prevent color crosstalk, and thus should produce a cleaner image in dim conditions.

    The standard versions of each chip allow further improvements in dynamic range using a method that records two different exposures simultaneously called zHDR. The sensor divides the pixels in a zig zag pattern so that some record a long exposure and others a short one, and the two exposures are combined to form an image with a wider range of tones.

    These are second generation sensors that already use phase detection AF and which can record 4K video.

    ‘4C’ variants of both chips include a non-standard color filter array pattern that makes it easier to combine the signal from four pixels, to give less noisy, lower resolution images.

    The company says that they will be ready for mass production in the early part of next year. For more information see the OmniVision website.

    Press release

    OmniVision Debuts Second-Generation PureCel®Plus and PureCel®Plus-S Technology and Product Families

    OmniVision’s Newest Pixel Architecture Brings Exceptional Low-Light Performance and Increased Dynamic Range to Advanced Imaging Applications

    OmniVision Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today introduced its latest advancement in leading-edge pixel technologies: second- generation PureCel®Plus and PureCel®Plus-S. In keeping with OmniVision’s tradition of delivering industry-leading image sensors, the second- generation PureCel Plus technology offers significant improvements over the previous generation, such as higher full-well capacity (FWC), better sensitivity, increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and enhanced low-light performance. Though the initial development was focused on supporting small-pixel products for mobile applications, this technology will ultimately benefit many other image sensor applications.

    OmniVision’s second-generation PureCelPlus technology showcases various performance improvements, including:

    • 20 percent increase in FWC, enabling higher dynamic range.
    • A newly introduced composite metal grid (CMG) structure, which increases pixel quantum efficiency and enhances sensor low-light performance, leading to a 12.5 percent improvement in sensitivity.
    • Improved deep trench isolation (DTI) structure, which further reduces color crosstalk and improves the SNR10 (low-light performance index) number by 10 lux.

    These structure improvements also enable small-pixel sensors to have better tolerance to incident light angles. This in turn allows imaging systems to use lower F-number lenses for better brightness, and to realize lower module heights that are essential for slimmer phone designs.

    “Maintaining good image quality and sensor performance for small pixels in low-light conditions has always been a challenge in the digital imaging space. OmniVision has delivered increasing engineering advances over the years to address this market need,” said Dr. Song Xue, senior manager of sensor technology at OmniVision. “Our second-generation PureCelPlus technology enables our end users to capture high-quality, high-resolution photos, even in challenging lighting environments.”

    OmniVision’s second-generation PureCel Plus-S technology will empower new families of compact 20-megapixel and 16-megapixel sensors. The 20-megapixel OV20880 and OV20880-4C and the 16-megapixel OV16885 and OV16885-4C are designed to deliver high-resolution images to high-end smartphones across a variety of lighting conditions.

    The OV20880, OV20880-4C, OV16885 and the OV16885-4C are currently available for sampling and are expected to enter volume production in the first quarter of 2017.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Grounded: GoPro recalls Karma drone
    Action-cam maker GoPro announced a recall of its new Karma drone after the company discovered that a small number of units lost power during operation. GoPro indicated that it is investigating the issue, but stresses that even if your Karma drone appears to operating normally you should cease using it immediately.
     
    The $ 799 Karma, GoPro’s first drone, just became available on October 23. The company reports that approximately 2,500 units have been sold to date, and that it plans to resume shipment of the product as soon as the issue is resolved. If you own a Karma and need more information on the recall you can find FAQ and return instructions here.
     
    Press release:

    GoPro Announces Karma Recall and Refund Program

    SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — GoPro Inc. today announced the recall of the approximately 2500 Karma drones purchased by consumers since October 23. The recall was announced after GoPro discovered that in a very small number of cases, Karma units lost power during operation. No related injuries or property damage have been reported.
    Owners of Karma can return their units to GoPro, or their place of purchase, for a full refund. Replacement units are not being offered. GoPro plans to resume shipment of Karma as soon as the issue is resolved.
    To participate in the recall, visit GoPro’s webpage at: www.gopro.com/2016karmareturn
    “Safety is our top priority,” said GoPro Founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman. “A very small number of Karma owners have reported incidents of power failure during operation. We have moved quickly to recall all units of Karma and provide a full refund while we investigate the issue. We are working in close coordination with both the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Federal Aviation Administration. We are very sorry to have inconvenienced our customers and we are taking every step to make the return and refund process as easy as possible.”

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)