If you’re lucky enough to be in Japan at the moment, select Sony stores will give you a free — and downright adorable — mini camera kit if you purchase a Sony a7 or a9 series camera system.
The limited-time promotion is going on through November 30 at the Sony Stores in the Ginza, Sapporo, Osaka and Fukuoka Tenjin districts. The mini kit includes miniature versions of the Sony a7R II and either a 24–70mm F2.8 OSS or 100–400mm GM OSS lens.
The promotion appears to be limited to these stores, so unless you happen to be in Japan amidst this global pandemic or know someone who is (that’s also willing to buy an a7 or a9 camera for you), you might just have to keep an eye out on auction sites when people inevitably end up trying to sell these miniature mirrorless cameras and lenses online.
Repair site iFixit has discovered that repairing the cameras inside Apple’s new iPhone 12 smartphones will not be able to be, at least easily, done by third parties, as removing the cameras requires access to a proprietary tool that only authorized Apple technicians will have access to.
While trying to swap the camera modules inside two iPhone 12 devices, iFixit suspected something was up. After ‘exhaustive testing, comparing notes with multiple repair technicians, and reviewing leaked Apple training documents,’ iFixit discovered ‘the iPhone 12 camera is entirely unreliable when swapped between iPhones.’
Image credit: iFixit
Below is a video from YouTuber Taylor Dixon, who also discovered this while attempting to swap cameras inside iPhone 12 devices:
This, of course, means any DIY fixes or even those by unauthorized third-party phone repair shops won’t be happening. The graphic below is a leaked chart from Apple that shows iPhone 12 models require an authorized technician to run ‘System Configuration’ to replace a camera module (or a display). Previously, these limitations were only in place for batteries.
The post Tamron 28-200mm Wins Grand Gold Prize at Digital Camera Grand-Prix 2021 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
Tamron’s 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD superzoom has been awarded the Grand Gold Prize in the Interchangeable Lens/Mirrorless category at the Digital Camera Grand-Prix 2021. Tamron has also taken a Gold Prize for its 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD telephoto zoom in the Third Party/Mirrorless category.
The Digital Camera Grand-Prix honors the best cameras and lenses of the year; all gear debuted during the 2020 fiscal period is eligible, and winners are selected by photographic authorities.
In past years, awardees have included the Sony a7R IV (for Camera of the Year, 2020), the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct (given Editors Award, 2020), and the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (for Lens of the Year, 2019).
But while Tamron has frequently received prestigious Digital Camera Grand-Prix prizes – in fact, the company has been awarded in each of the last six years – the new 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 perhaps stands alone, thanks to its breathtaking combination of focal length range, compactness, and image quality.
In fact, the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 is the ultimate superzoom. It’s built for Sony full-frame cameras, and Tamron has ensured that it can stand up to the rigors of Sony’s mirrorless lineup; the 28-200mm is effortlessly sharp on high-resolution bodies such as the a7R IV, from 28mm to 200mm, at all apertures.
In other words:
You can capture stunningly sharp landscapes at 28mm, before zooming in for some nice sharp portraits in the 50mm to 150mm range, before capturing a sharp telephoto street shot or two at 200mm.
This is unprecedented for superzooms, which are equally well-known for their overall usefulness and frequent image quality issues. You can either have flexibility or sharpness, but not both, or so lens manufacturers seem to think – yet Tamron has proved that it’s possible to keep it all: sharpness, focal length flexibility, plus solid build quality, autofocus speed, and more.
I haven’t even mentioned the 28-200mm’s maximum aperture, which varies from f/2.8 to f/5.6 across the focal length range. The f/2.8 maximum aperture at the wide end of the range further increases the lens’s versatility. For night shooters – especially astrophotographers, who require clean images at relatively fast shutter speeds – an f/2.8 aperture is a must, and the 28-200mm can provide it.
The 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 is offered for a very reasonable price:
$ 729 USD, which is cheaper than many native Sony lenses, and brings an incredible bang for your buck when you consider what you’re getting.
So if you’re interested in a lens that can do pretty much anything, from landscapes to street photography to portrait photography and more, check out the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD.
(Also, take a look at our review of the incredible Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 lens for Sony.)
Now over to you:
What do you think about the 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6? Are you impressed by Tamron’s innovation? Are there any competitors that you like better? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The post Tamron 28-200mm Wins Grand Gold Prize at Digital Camera Grand-Prix 2021 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
Whether you’re just sharing clips with friends or you’re launching an online on-camera career, vlogging matters. We looked at cameras with selfie-friendly screens, wide-angle lenses, microphone inputs and great video quality, and Sony’s compact ZV-1 came out on top.
The post Is the Olympus Sale a Sign of Things to Come for Other Camera Companies? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Carl Spring.
A long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away, or 2014, as most would call it), when I first started writing about photography, I created an article on my photography predictions for 2015.
In that article, I wrote about how one or more manufacturers would stop producing cameras. I specifically named Olympus (and Pentax) as companies I could see not surviving long-term. My prediction has unfortunately come true with the recent Olympus sale (six years later, but I was still right!).
This history lesson shows two things:
Talk of camera manufacturers not surviving has been around forever.
Eventually, some camera companies will fall victim to the ever-shrinking photography market.
After years of rumors and denials, June 2020 saw the sale of Olympus to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP). This is the same firm that acquired Sony’s VAIO PC business back in 2014. It now seems (although it’s yet to be confirmed) that JIP will most likely be dropping the name “Olympus.”
The sad loss of Olympus shows that digital cameras are an ever-decreasing market and begs the question:
Is Olympus a one-off? Or is the Olympus sale a sign of things to come?
Unfortunately, it will not be long before we no longer see the name Olympus on a camera.
A small caveat
For this article, I will simply concern myself with digital camera divisions. I know that companies such as Nikon and Canon have huge businesses outside of cameras, but that doesn’t mean they won’t close their digital camera divisions if they become financially unviable.
What is happening to digital camera sales?
Digital camera sales are still in decline.
To give you a sobering statistic, over 98% of all digital cameras sold are smartphones. As cameras in phones continue to improve, the small percentage of compact digital camera sales will more than likely continue to shrink to zero.
But there will always be a market for more serious digital cameras. Such cameras are aimed at those of us who enjoy photography beyond a snapshot. For those who photograph either for a hobby or an income, there will always be the need for a larger camera with more advanced features.
That said, figures are continuing to trend downward and are not looking good. There are Japanese analysts who are saying that, unless the industry rapidly changes, it will begin to collapse. How true this is depends on several factors, but one thing is for sure:
We are heading toward rock bottom.
The quality of phone cameras means the compact camera market is shrinking rapidly.
The Corona effect
A recent report by Slackline showed that the camera industry has been hit incredibly hard by COVID-19. The camera market came in at number three on a list of the top 100 fastest-declining e-commerce categories in 2020 (only beaten by luggage and briefcases).
The reason for this is obvious:
People are not traveling or attending events for which they could justify the purchase of a new camera. Add to this many professionals who are simply not upgrading due to a major drop in income, and you are seeing a perfect storm for any camera company that may be struggling financially.
The perfect holiday camera, if only we could go on holiday.
We are about to hit rock bottom
Back in 2019, Canon president Fujio Mitarai talked about the continuing drop in sales and the expectation that, in two years, the market would drop by around 50%.
Canon estimates that the total market will be about six to eight million prosumer and professional cameras. In 2019, when Mitarai made his statement, the sales of interchangeable lens cameras were estimated to be around 10 million.
When you see figures like that, it is hard to imagine every camera brand still being able to compete.
But who will dominate? And who will be left to follow the route of Olympus?
King Canon
A while back, I said that Nikon & Canon could go the way of Kodak.
But right now, it definitely doesn’t look like Canon is going anywhere. Figures published by Nikkei show that, in 2020, Canon owns 45.4% of the market.
Canon was late to mirrorless technology, and many (myself included) thought the EOS R and EOS RP were subpar compared to what Sony was putting out. However, Canon had huge success with the 5D line, as well as cameras such as the 7D. This meant that many were still happy with their bodies and would only be purchasing lenses, flashes, etc.
It was a misstep by Canon to underestimate mirrorless, but honestly, it didn’t hurt them too much. The sales of the EOS R and RP showed that Canon has a loyal and longstanding fanbase.
Add to this the release of the EOS R5 and EOS R6, as well as their success (overheating aside), I cannot see Canon losing its market share in the next 12-24 months. So if Canon is safe, who is most at risk?
Canon’s hottest release, the R5, sees the company continuing to dominate the market.
We need to talk about Pentax
Pentax’s stubborn refusal to move away from the DSLR is a potential sign that they may be heading for significant trouble in the very near future.
In 2020, the company’s statement of “Pentax believes in the future of DSLR photography” seems crazy. The sale of DSLR cameras has dropped massively since 2017.
Reading that first statement, you may think I am bashing Pentax’s managerial decisions, but I feel the problem may lurk a little deeper.
You see, I don’t think Pentax currently has the budget to develop a mirrorless camera from scratch. They have reached a point where they would need significant time and effort to do this, which comes at a significant cost.
Also, part of their recent brand statement was this line:
“When you take a picture with a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, the light passes through the lens and, in turn, the optical viewfinder. You view the image directly with your eyes, and feel it with your heart.”
This reminded me of Fuji’s “Pure Photography” vision at the launch of the X-Pro3. Could this mean that Pentax is aiming for a niche of customers who will want to continue to use DSLRs? It certainly could be a strategy, but I am not sure how this will work in practice. I don’t think there will be enough DSLR sales to allow this to work. Even if it does, it will seemingly lead to tiny R&D budgets.
Whether it is down to budget or that Pentax truly believes in their vision and wants to create a niche, who knows? One thing that we do know is that the market has moved to mirrorless. By refusing to move with it, Pentax looks too far behind to come back, which is sad to see.
I truly feel that, as a company, Pentax will slowly fade into obscurity and then close its camera division.
Will the decision to stick to DSLRs hurt Pentax?
Could one of the big companies follow?
The obvious point this leads to is whether one of the bigger companies will eventually fall. I think it is a case of, “While that is unlikely, nobody is too big to fail.”
The way Nikon has been overtaken in camera sales by Sony signifies a shift in the market. Nikon is set to release a new flagship mirrorless camera very soon, which will likely keep them comfortable for a while.
Here’s the longer-term question, though:
Will the market sustain three major players?
If the answer is “No,” then you would have to say, simply based on recent performance, Nikon looks to be the most likely to fade away.
I feel the Fab Five of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Panasonic are here to stay. All of them are releasing amazing cameras and pushing things forward.
However, I feel that, over time, the market will be dominated by Canon and Sony, with Nikon starting to compete with brands such as Panasonic instead of the new Big Two.
That said, if the leaks about the upcoming Nikon releases are true, I may have to eat my words.
The high-end specialists
The decline in sales to professionals due to COVID may be posing big issues for brands such as Hasselblad and Phase One. These companies’ main market is almost exclusively professionals who need the very best quality images. Again, the coronavirus issues will be having an effect on sales.
Could this be enough to topple one of these companies? I honestly don’t know, as they play their cards very close to their chests. But there was something I found during my research for this piece that did make me think that all may not be perfect in Hasselblad land.
In a 2019 interview, Hasselblad’s head of sales for Europe, Uwe Moebus, said: “There are fewer professional photographers and it is getting harder and harder for professionals to make decent money.” He then spoke of the desire for amateurs to start using Hasselblad.
These comments hint at a shrinking market for Hasselblad and its need to diversify. With COVID, we will have to assume that this will not have gone as well as hoped and could be the sign of problems to come.
Does Hasselblad really need the amateur market?
Video is key if you want to keep up
While photography seemingly continues to decline, the video market is continuously buoyant in comparison.
This is due to YouTube being the new TV and the large number of YouTube channels popping up everywhere. There is also a market for crash cams in major film production. The idea of destroying a brand new camera is heartbreaking for most of us. However, when on a Hollywood budget, a relatively cheap camera that can be used with little regard to its survival (except for the memory card) is perfect for the job. This is a growing market for camera manufacturers.
The fact that Netflix has approved the use of the Panasonic S1H as a production camera creates a market that goes way beyond photographers and YouTube creators.
Sony has always been great with video; it is a huge reason for their success. The release of the 12-megapixel a7S III shows Sony releasing mirrorless cameras for video first (if not almost entirely). Obviously, this has become a hot topic (bad pun intended) with the Canon EOS R5. As a stills camera, everyone agrees it is a masterpiece. However, Canon marketed it almost solely based on its video features. All of the complaints, problems, and potential boycotts are based on this.
When shooting in 8K, you can extract a 35-megapixel still frame from the footage. In a field such as headshot photography, where you are looking for the perfect expression, you can now capture 30 shots per second, continuously. Shoot a minute of video, skim through until you find the perfect expression, then export the frame as a large megapixel file. This may well become the future for certain types of photography.
Sony’s video-first stance is clear to see.
How a decreasing market will be bad for consumers
Those of you reading this are probably part of the shrinking market segment that will continue to buy interchangeable lens cameras.
However, while the market and consumer needs will dictate which companies survive and which fall, the fact is that the Olympus sale will impact the whole industry.
While I feel that technological developments will continue, budgets for research and development will be cut. Fewer camera sales mean less ability for the engineering departments to push new technology. This may lead to a future with new models having smaller, more incremental updates rather than exciting, huge leaps forward in camera technology.
Again, I feel the future will be driven by video and the developments will come from Sony’s and Canon’s high-end cinema lines.
The thing is, though:
In purely photographic terms, what more do we actually need?
Is it really that bad?
Well, this has all been doom and gloom. Is there any silver lining?
The fact that, even when the market hits the predicted bottom, there will be enough money for several manufacturers to continue working with still gives us hope. The camera launches in 2020 have been spectacular and show no signs of stopping despite the Olympus sale.
In terms of photography, I really feel we are in a position where technology can no longer give us huge improvements. Maybe a stop more dynamic range here, a little less noise there.
But as a photographer, what else do you need right now? Autofocus systems are amazing. Noise at high ISOs is fantastic. Frames per second are almost video-like. We don’t need new technology; we need more creativity, and that is still solely down to the one who pushes the button.
The post Is the Olympus Sale a Sign of Things to Come for Other Camera Companies? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Carl Spring.
Zeiss has announced the release of its long-awaited ZX1 mirrorless camera in the United States and Germany.
First announced back in September 2018, the Zeiss ZX1 full-frame Android-powered camera is designed, in Zeiss’ own words, to help users ‘Shoot. Edit. Share.’ all on one device thanks to the integration of hardware and software.
At the core of the ZX1 is a 37.4-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor developed by Zeiss. In front of the sensor is a non-interchangeable Zeiss Distagon 35mm F2 T* lens with a focus and aperture ring (both of which appear to be electronically controlled). In addition to stills, the camera is capable of recording 4k (3,840 x 2,160 px) video at 30 frames per second (fps) and 1080p video at 60 fps in the H.264 codec. All images and video are stored on a 512GB internal SSD and can be transferred off the device using the USB-C port or the wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5.0 GHz and Bluetooth 4.2 LE).
Other specifications include a shutter speed range of 1/2000th to 30s, an ISO range of 80 to 51,200 (1/3 EV increments), Hybrid AF that uses both contrast and phase detection, and a 0.7” OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a 1920 x 1080px resolution. The camera uses a 3,190mAh 22.9Wh Li-ion battery, but Zeiss doesn’t mention how many shots the battery is rated for (likely because how much editing is done on-camera will greatly affect the battery life).
What makes the Zeiss ZX1 different than, say, the Leica Q2, is its massive 4.3” multitouch display on the rear that not only allows you to navigate the menu system, but also serves as a means of editing images directly on the camera with the Adobe Lightroom Mobile application. Zeiss said it’s worked alongside Adobe to ensure full compatibility and all buyers will receive a year’s worth of Adobe’s 1TB Photography Plan.
Despite clearly running on some version of Android, Zeiss no longer mentions the word ‘Android’ on any of its marketing material, so there’s no way of knowing what version it runs and what kind of support we can expect going forward.
The Zeiss ZX1 is available starting today for $ 6,000 at select dealers in the United States and Germany, including Adorama and B&H. You can read our initial hands-on with the ZX1 from CP+ 2019.
The post 11 Easy Creative Photography Techniques You Can Try on Any Camera appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.
A lot of photography techniques can be complex and require a steep learning curve.
But in today’s article, you’ll learn 11 easy creative photography techniques you can start using today! The techniques described below all require minimal extra equipment and don’t require additional post-processing.
Read on to get the most creativity from your camera with these easy-to-use techniques.
1. Reflection
It’s worth getting down to a low angle for reflections.
This is an easy creative photography technique to learn and is popular among many photographers. The main requirement is finding a reflective surface, though this is not all there is to it. Consider the following, and you’ll be capturing amazing reflection photos in no time:
Reflective surface: Look for surfaces that reflect (and there are many). Flat water works well, as does glass, marble, or even a regular mirror.
Choose a main subject: A successful photo will match up a reflective surface with an interesting main subject. Consider going out after it’s rained, as a puddle in front of a famous monument may only be there after heavy rain.
Find the angle: To get a better reflection, choose the correct angle. This often means getting right up against the reflective surface so the angle of reflection is shallow.
Create your own: No reflective surface? No problem. Just create one! Use the surface of a smartphone, a small mirror, or perhaps a bucket that you use to spread water and create a puddle.
A filter: The best way to control your reflection is by using a circular polarizing filter.
2. Silhouettes
Strong silhouettes work well against a horizon line.
The next option on this list of easy creative photography techniques is silhouettes.
Silhouettes occur when you photograph against the light. The key is to find an interesting shape, and then make sure the background is brighter than the object itself.
You’ll often need to get down to a low angle and then photograph up toward the sky; that way, you can ensure the silhouetted object stands out against the bright background.
Also, when photographing silhouettes, make sure you expose for the bright background. This will turn the subject into a dark silhouette.
3. Repetition
Lines and repetition can make for a strong composition.
A great design element to add to your frame is repetition.
This is something you’ll usually need to look for, but it’s sometimes possible to create your own repetition. There are possibilities for this both in nature and in the man-made world. Repetition may take the form of a line of trees, or of many bricks in a wall. The question, then, is how you’ll use this repetition.
Here are a few ways you can work with repetition to improve your photos:
Create a texture photo: In this case, the high level of repetition forms a texture.
Break the pattern: Here everything else is the same, with one variation. This works well to highlight that variation, which will then be the photo’s main subject.
Use background repetition: Backgrounds with repetition work very well for portrait photos or still life images.
Two or three: You don’t need to have repetition to infinity; two or three repeating objects, such as wine glasses, can work well.
4. Refraction
Wine glasses filled with water will produce refraction.
This is a form of photography that can be practiced with a camera as simple as a smartphone. You’re probably thinking of lensballs, but refraction photography can take many forms, including:
A lensball: This is a large glass ball that creates a refracted image of the background inside it.
A prism: A prism splits the light and can be used to produce a rainbow. You could either photograph the projected rainbow or photograph through the prism.
Water drops: Get out after it’s rained, and you can produce refraction in things such as water drops on a spider’s web.
A wine glass: Fill a wine glass with water, and you will see the refraction effect!
5. Contrast
Contrast with silhouettes works really well.
Contrast is a great concept to use in your photography.
The most obvious way to use contrast is by emphasizing dark and light areas of your photo through things such as silhouettes and shadows. But this is not the only way contrast can be used in your photography; anything that has an opposite can be used. You might choose to contrast something old with something new, for example.
6. Framing
Natural frames such as cave entrances are good frames.
The world is full of frames, from pictures on the wall to window frames. These frames can be used in photography, which is another easy creative photography technique.
You can achieve a great framed photo with any kind of camera. Good options for this include doorways and windows. You can even become more creative and make your own frame using objects that contextualize the scene behind it.
7. Panning
Bikes are the easiest moving object to try panning with.
Panning is a form of intentional camera movement. The technique involves following the motion of a moving object and using a slower shutter speed to blur the background behind it.
As long as your camera allows you to use a slow shutter speed, this is a technique you can try. Those using a smartphone should download an app that allows you to use a slower shutter speed to take a photo.
8. Point of view
A worm’s-eye view can look amazing. This example also shows how lines and repetition can work in a photo.
Changing your angle can give you dramatically different results, and it doesn’t matter which type of camera you use for this technique.
It’s easy to photograph from a standing position, but try some of these alternative angles:
Low angle: With this angle, you’ll get low to the ground. Things look different from down there!
Worm’s-eyeview: This angle involves looking straight up. It can be even more dramatic when you get right down to the ground.
Bird’s-eyeview: The easiest way these days to take a bird’s-eye view image is with a drone. However, find a high vantage point from a tall building and you can achieve a similar result.
9. Lines
This photo shows several lines converging in the left third of the frame.
Using powerful lines in your photos will almost always give you a strong composition. The trick, of course, is to utilize those lines correctly using the focal length available to you.
Here are some of the lines that can be used in your photography:
Leading lines: A leading line leads the eye to the main subject of your photo. This line might take the form of a road or a river meandering through your frame.
Horizon lines: Many photographs have horizon lines in them, which is a strong line running through the middle of your frame. Look to position it at the top or bottom third of your photo (using the rule of thirds).
Converging lines: In some photos, many lines converge at one point: the infinity point. This can be compositionally very strong. Look for lines of trees or a tunnel for this type of photo.
10. Shadows
The shadow in this photo shows an element of repetition, as well.
Photographing shadows requires a strong light source. This can be the sun, but an external flash is another option.
The best time of the day to photograph shadows is therefore when the sun is at a low angle: an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset.
Shadows can be formed and used in different ways. You might photograph a person’s shadow, shadows formed from trees, or the way shadows emphasize the shapes of hills.
11. Minimalism
This minimalist photo uses a bird’s-eye view taken from a bridge.
Keeping your composition nice and clean is the key to a good photo. This means that one of the best easy creative photography techniques is minimalism.
You can create minimalism even in the most cluttered environment as long as you frame your photo correctly. This style of photography requires that you give your subject some room to breathe. Focus on the main subject and position it in front of an uncluttered background.
Try out these easy creative photography techniques, yourself!
There are so many ways to be creative with photography. Which techniques do you like to use? Are there any simple-to-apply techniques you’ve tried that didn’t make this list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
And if you have any photos that illustrate these techniques, share them in the comments, too!
Then get photographing with these easy creative photography techniques!
The post 11 Easy Creative Photography Techniques You Can Try on Any Camera appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.
Insta360 has announced the ONE X2, a new waterproof 360-degree camera that features stabilized 5.7K recording, a round touchscreen display and built-in editing tools.
The overall shape of the ONE X2 is similar to the Insta360 ONE X, but instead of a black and white OLED display, the ONE X2 features a full-color display that can be used to both compose your shots and navigate through the camera’s settings.
The ONE X2 features four shooting modes: 360, Steady Cam, InstaPano and MultiView. In 360 mode, the camera will capture and stitch together a 5.7K 360-degree video. Steady Cam makes it possible to compose your shot — from the whole 360-degree view — and capture digitally-stabilized video that’s ready to share off the bat. InstaPano is a new mode that captures full panoramas of a scene with a single tap. Lastly, MultiView allows you to capture two angles at once, enabling you to capture both the scene in front of you as well as yourself in two separate videos.
Powering the image stabilization in both the 360 and Steady Cam shooting modes is Insta360’s updated FlowState technology, which is now ‘better than ever’ with improved stabilization performance. Also new is Deep Track, a new algorithm-powered feature that makes it easy to track subjects with a voice command or tap of the screen. Once the video is offloaded into the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, the program will automatically adjsut the video to track humans, animals and other moving objects, keeping them in the center of the frame.
Insta360 has also improved the Shot Lab functionality inside its app, making it easier to create videos with a single tap using built-in templates such as Dolly Zoom, Stop Motion and more.
The ONE X2 is IPX8 rated, meaning you can use it without a case down to 10m (33ft) and down to 45m 9148ft) with the optional Dive Case. To help improve the quality of underwater images, Insta360 has included AquaVision, a specialized shooting mode that auto-balances colors to create a more natural-looking scene. For low-light situations, the ONE X2 features PureShot, a mode that will capture and merge multiple images to increase dynamic range and reduce noise.
Insta360 has packed inside a larger (compared to the Insta360 ONE) 1630mAh battery, which is rated for shooting up to 80 minutes.
Being we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic, Insta360 has also added a webcam option for video conferencing apps such as Zoom, Google Hangouts and more. The usual live video streaming features for Facebook, YouTube and other platforms is also available.
The Insta360 ONE X2 is available to order today through Insta360’s online shop and authorized retailers (Adorama, B&H) for $ 430.
A study recently published in Nature Communications details the creation of an ultra-fast 3D camera capable of recording at 100 billion frames per second. The development comes from Lihong Wang and his team at Caltech, where the researchers developed this new camera using the same foundational technology found in Wang’s previous 70 trillion frames per second project.
The newly detailed camera produces what the researchers call ‘single-shot stereo-polarimetric compressed ultrafast photography’ (SP-CUP), a technology that records video at insanely fast speeds in three dimensions. This is made possible, in part, by creating the camera to perceive the world in a way similar to how a human sees — with two eyes, or in the case of the camera, with a halved lens that simulates looking at the world with two eyes.
The result is a camera that records video at insanely fast speeds in three dimensions. The technology is able to capture ‘non-repeatable 5D … evolving phenomena at picosecond temporal resolution,’ according to the study, referring to space, time of arrival, and angle of linear polarization. The study goes on to explain:
Disruptively advancing existing CUP techniques in imaging capability, SP-CUP enables simultaneous and efficient ultrafast recording of polarization in three-dimensional space. Compared with available single-shot ultrafast imaging techniques, SP-CUP has prominent advantages in light throughput, sequence depth, as well as spatiotemporal resolution and scalability in high-dimensional imaging.
Wang and his lab first detailed the 70 trillion frames per second camera back in May, explaining that such speeds were capable of capturing the fluorescent decay from molecules and waves of light as they traveled.
That particular camera technology was called compressed ultrafast spectral photography (CUSP), and it followed Wang’s past work on similar technologies, including the phase-sensitive compressed ultrafast photography (pCUP) device, Caltech had explained in a release.
With the newly detailed SP-CUP technology, the camera captures stereo imagery — 10 billion images in the blink of an eye — using a single lens that has been halved in order to capture two different slightly offset channels of the subject. This is similar to how the human eye works, enabling humans to perceive depth. The image data can be processed to create 3D content, which itself exceeds the capabilities of the human eye by including data on the polarization of light.
The sum total of this new photography technology opens the door for various scientific applications, including research in the field of physics. In particular, Wang sees the potential use of this camera in exploring the mystery of sonoluminescence, a phenomenon in which sound waves produce small bubbles in liquids that, when they collapse, produce tiny bursts of light.
Wang explained:
Some people consider this one of the greatest mysteries in physics. When a bubble collapses, its interior reaches such a high temperature that it generates light. The process that makes this happen is very mysterious because it all happens so fast, and we’re wondering if our camera can help us figure it out.
The study titled ‘Single-shot stereo-polarimetric compressed ultrafast photography for light-speed observation of high-dimensional optical transients with picosecond resolution’ is available in Nature Communications.
Three weeks ago, the long-awaited Zeiss ZX1 camera reappeared for pre-order on B&H Photo after months and months of silence regarding the availability of the Android-powered mirrorless camera. While B&H has since pulled its listing, a new report from Nokishita claims the camera will be available on October 29 with an MSRP of $ 6,000/€6,000 (the same price B&H had it listed for).
When B&H listed the Zeiss ZX1 for pre-order earlier this month, we contacted both B&H and Zeiss on the matter, but both passed on the opportunity to comment on the matter. Sometime between then and now, the pre-order option on B&H was removed with no further information on when we might see more. That is, until Nokishita published the above tweet earlier this morning.
We have contacted Zeiss for confirmation and will update this article accordingly if we receive a response. While we wait to hear more about the camera, you can check out our hands-on with it back at CP+ 2019.
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