Sony has announced firmware updates for its SLT-A37, A57, A65, A77 and A99 digital SLRs. Firmware version 1.01 for the SLT-A99 adds Dual-AF compatibility with key A-mount lenses. Updates for the rest of the SLTs including the A99 add automatic lens correction with several A-mount lenses. Click through for more details and a link to the updates.
Olympus has announced the Stylus XZ-10 enthusiast compact – a smaller, cheaper addition to the range alongside the well-regarded XZ-2. It’s built around a 26-130mm equivalent 1:1.8-2.7 lens coupled with a 12MP 2/3″ type backlit CMOS sensor that offers ISOs up to 6400. It can record 1080p Full HD movies with stereo sound, with Multi-motion Movie IS to reduce blur while walking. The 3″ 920k dot LCD is touch-sensitive, but unlike the XZ-2’s doesn’t tilt, which helps make the camera slimmer. The package is rounded off by a full set of manual controls including a customisable round-lens control ring, but there’s no hot shoe or support for an external EVF. It’ll be available from March 2013 for £349.99 in black, brown or white.
Fujifilm has launched the Finepix S4800 superzoom with a stabilized 30x (24-720mm equiv.) zoom lens. The camera features a 16MP CCD sensor, 3-inch LCD, 720p HD video recording and manual exposure modes. It also includes an ‘Individual Shutter 3D’ which creates 3D pictures by merging 2 images. The S4800 runs on four AA batteries, and price and availibility are still to be confirmed.
Fujifilm has announced the FinePix F900EXR, a 20X zoom, raw-capable compact superzoom with built-in Wi-Fi, offering what Fujifilm claims is the ‘world’s fastest AF’. The F900 uses a 16MP EXR-CMOS II sensor with Phase Detection AF technology. A near-identical twin of the F800EXR in other respects, it offers the same stabilized 25-500mm equivalent lens, captures 1080p movies, P,A,S,M shooting modes and the ability to wirelessly transfer files via the free ‘Fujifilm Camera Application’ app for Android and iOS devices. Price and availability details have not been given.
CP+ 2013: Pentax has shown two prototype products at the CP+ 2013 trade show in Japan: a bounce flash and a body cap lens for the Q-system. The flash is tentatively named the AF360FGZ II and has a guide number of 36, vertical and horizontal bounce capability, and is expected to ship this Summer. The ‘Mount Cap Lens’ is limited to the Q-mount camera line, and includes what appears to be a small hyper-focal lens which Pentax says will produce a ‘toy-camera-like visual effect,’ and is also expected this Summer 2013.
CP+ 2013: Sigma has announed four additions to its ‘Art’ range of prime lenses, including a 60mm F2.8 DN lens for mirrorless cameras and an updated 30mm F1.4 DC for APS-C DSLRs. Alongside these are redesigned versions of its 30mm and 19mm F2.8 DN lenses for mirrorless in metal bodies. Like these lenses, the 60mm F2.8 DN features metal casing and will be available for the Sony E and Micro Four Thirds mounts. It will offer a 90mm equivalent field of view on Sony NEX cameras or 120mm equivalent coverage of Micro Four Thirds bodies. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC is a completely redesigned version of the popular normal lens for APS-C DSLRs – it will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts. Price and availability details have not been given.
CP+ 2013: Panasonic has announced the Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II Asph. Mega O.I.S – its latest affordable kit lens for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. The 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II is the company’s fourth variable aperture standard zoom (following the 14-45mm, original 14-42mm and 14-42mm power zoom), and gains two aspherical elements to help make the lens smaller than the existing version. The 14-42mm II will be available as a kit option with both the DMC-GF5 and DMC-G5 in most markets.
Epson has said it is starting full production of its high-resolution SVGA LCD panel for use in electronic viewfinder cameras. The 1024 x 768 pixel screen sits alongside the company’s existing 800 x 600 pixel display, as used in the Olympus OM-D and, we suspect, in Fujifilm’s X100 and X-Pro1. The latest panel, unveiled at Photokina, offers the same 2.36m dot resolution as announced in the Fujifilm X100S. It’ll be interesting to see how it compares to the Sony OLED display of the same resolution used in various Sony models and Fujifilm’s X-E1.
Sony has announced the E 20mm F2.8 – a moderately wide-angle pancake prime lens for its NEX cameras. The moderately-fast E-mount pancake will offer a 30mm equivalent field of view and adds another compact lens option for NEX shooters. It will be available in April for around $ 350. Sony has also said it will offer its video-targeted 18-200mm OSS F3.5-6.3 power zoom lens as a standalone product. Previously only available bundled with the NEX-VG30 camcorder, it becomes the company’s third E-mount 18-200mm superzoom and will cost around $ 1200.
Specialist accessory manufacturer Metabones and optics company Caldwell Photographics have jointly announced the ‘Speed Booster’, a lens adapter for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras that reduces the focal length by a factor of 0.7x and increases the maximum aperture by 1 stop. The Speed Booster also promises sharper images compared to using the lens with a simple adapter. The first version will allow use of Canon EF lenses on Sony NEX bodies, and will be available this month from Metabones’ web site for US$ 599. Support for additional lens mounts (including Nikon F) and camera systems (including Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds) is also planned.