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Posts Tagged ‘Camera’

Sony is now #2 in the US full-frame interchangeable lens camera market

15 Apr

Sony has announced that it is now ranked second in the U.S. full-frame interchangeable lens camera market, a position formerly held by Nikon. The data comes from The NPD Group, which shows a 23% increase in Sony’s full-frame interchangeable lens cameras and lenses sales this year. According to Sony, its ‘key models,’ including the a7R II and a7S II, were large factors behind this increase.

As the graph above demonstrates, the full-frame interchangeable lens camera market as a whole benefitted from Sony’s success; without it, the overall market would have experienced a 2% decrease year-on-year. Such data is based on NPD Group’s sales figures for Sony from January and February 2017.

Press release

Sony Overtakes #2 Position in U.S. Full-Frame Interchangeable Lens Camera Market

Record Sales from Sony Driving Growth in Overall Full-Frame Market

SAN DIEGO, April 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics – a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has announced today that their continued growth has vaulted them into the #2 overall position in the U.S. full-frame interchangeable lens camera market. 1

Sony’s interchangeable lens cameras and lenses have seen record sales in 2017, in particular within the U.S. full-frame camera market, where they have experienced double-digit growth (+23%) 2 compared to the same period last year. The popularity of key models including ?7RII and ?7SII has been paramount to this success.

Additionally, Sony’s rapid growth has helped to drive growth of the overall full-frame interchangeable lens camera market compared to the same period last year. Without Sony’s contributions, the full-frame market would be facing a slight decline. 3

“Our commitment to the industry is stronger than ever,” said Neal Manowitz, VP of Digital Imaging at Sony North America. “We are always listening to our customers, combining their feedback with our intense passion for innovation to deliver products, services and support like no other.”

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting content shot Sony ? products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com , Sony’s community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of the Sony ? brand.

1 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan- Feb 2017

2 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan/Feb 2016- Jan/Feb 2017

3 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan/Feb 2016- Jan/Feb 2017

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Keep your camera dry and look like a dork with this $60 hands-free umbrella (or not)

15 Apr
Uh, what’s that thing on your head?

Did you know it rains a lot in Seattle? No? Well, it does. It rains every day for 11 and a half months. Naturally, this poses some challenges for outdoor photography. Sure, more and more cameras are offering some degree of weather sealing, but staying dry is a hot commodity in our rainy city, and weather sealing can’t keep moisture off your lens.

‘If only there were some sort of hands-free device that could keep me dry all the time, while also making me look like a total and complete dork,’ we find ourselves musing.

“Yeah I’ve got a Nubrella bro.”

Fortunately for us there’s the Nubrella, a back-pack style umbrella marketed toward photographers. It is essentially a $ 60 product ($ 66.98 with shipping) that not only keeps you dry but makes people on the street wonder whether you’re headed to Comic-Con dressed as Spaceball’s Dark Helmet.

Let’s hope the wind doesn’t catch that thing.

One wonders if they called it the Nubrella because you must be a certain degree of ‘nu(m)b’ to social norms to actually wear it. Then again, perhaps the SoloWheel-riding, vape pen-toting crowd has yet to catch on to this marvelous device that offers hands-free convenience for the small price of $ 66.98 and one’s dignity.

Here’s an idea: instead of wasting your money on such a silly and overpriced solution to a simple problem, our ever-wise colleague Wenmei suggests investing in an $ 11 umbrella hat. Not only does it serve the same purpose as the Nubrella, you can purchase one with a silver reflective lining that allows it to double as a reflector. Sure, you’ll still look like a dork wearing one, but at least you’ll be a thrifty dork.

This umbrella hat is about $ 10 and can double as a reflector.

After all, it’s easy to come across a product and jump to the conclusion, “I need that in my life!” That’s why infomercials continue to exist. But please, before spending any cash on some sort of expensive photography gizmo, shop around and see if there’s an affordable alternative. Because sometimes the job of a $ 60 wrist-strap can be done with a $ 6 bootlace.

Moreover, $ 66.98 could go a long way to purchasing photo gear that will actually, you know, make you a better or more creative photographer.

Wenmei in umbrella hat.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh denies Nikkei report that it may leave camera business

14 Apr

Ricoh has issued a response to a report from the Nikkei Asian Review, denying that the company is considering leaving the consumer camera business. Ricoh’s statement says that it will focus its attention on ‘high added value products’ in its Pentax and GR lines. Additionally, the company says it plans to keep expanding its VR business, where it sees plenty of growth.

Nikkei’s article suggests the company considered, or is considering, a more drastic approach:

‘The Japanese company will radically review a production and manufacturing strategy centered on cameras for the retail market, including such brands as Pentax and GR. Options include withdrawing from this segment altogether.’

An investor relations presentation published by Ricoh today only directly mentions the company’s camera division once, indicating that Ricoh will ‘leave no stones unturned’ in examining losses in its camera business. But the overall tone of the document indicates that the company is looking to break from past approaches to structure and growth.

The Nikkei article and Ricoh’s statement seem to be in agreement that the company is looking to expand into commercial applications. Nikkei mentions that Ricoh plans to use spare capacity at compact camera production facilities to increase production of automotive products.

Below is Ricoh’s full statement addressing the article:

With regard to the article about RICOH today

Apr. 12, 2017
Ricoh Co.,Ltd.

Today there was an article saying that RICOH considers to shrink the camera business and withdraw from consumer products. This article is not based on RICOH’s official announcement.

RICOH is focusing its resource on the high added value products such as PENTAX and GR that are appreciated by the existing users and photo hobbyists. RICOH is also a market leader of input device? in the VR or AR market with its “RICOH THETA” where we can see rapid growth, and will keep on expanding the business even more in this field. In addition, RICOH will develop and expand the imaging business in the solution business field for corporate, by creating new market utilizing its own camera technology.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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GoPro launches camera trade-up program in the US

11 Apr

Action-camera manufacturer GoPro has launched a trade-up program for its US-customers. Existing GoPro owners can receive $ 100 off a new HERO5 Black, or $ 50 off a HERO5 Session when they trade in any older GoPro HERO model.

To participate in the program you should visit the Trade-up website, select the new camera of your choice, and follow instructions to return your old camera. Once GoPro has received the latter, it will process the discount and send you a brand-new HERO5 Black or HERO5 Session camera.  The company says returned cameras will be recycled responsibly via zero landfill and recycling methods appropriate to material type. 

“Our HERO5 cameras are the best we’ve ever made. And when paired with GoPro’s new software, they unlock the simplest, most powerful mobile storytelling solution yet,” said CJ Prober, GoPro’s Chief Operating Officer. “Our Trade-Up Program allows us to introduce existing customers to the modern GoPro experience and prepare our community for the new software enhancements ahead.”

The HERO5 Black and HERO5 Session currently retail for $ 399.99 and $ 299.99, so the trade-in discount can cut a nice chunk from that. If you own an older GoPro and like the idea of trading it in, you can find all the information on the GoPro website. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Boxfish 360 Micro Four Thirds camera can record 5K spherical videos

11 Apr

Boxfish Research has announced the launch of its new Boxfish 360, a 5K camera equipped with multiple Panasonic Micro Four Thirds sensors able to capture spherical photos and video. This model is designed for professional use and, according to the company, offers better clarity and colors than similar 360-degree rigs created using multiple action cameras. The camera made its debut at CES 2017.

Boxfish 360 features 185-degree circular fisheye lenses with an F1.8 maximum aperture, an internal battery offering up to 90 minutes of recording per charge and both 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch mounting threads. Though the cameras are secured within a fully waterproof housing, Boxfish Research says the battery and microSD cards (up to six supported) can be quickly accessed without using tools via a hatch.

Videos are recorded using the H.264 codec with a bit rate of 60Mbps, and still images are saved as JPGs and DNGs. Boxfish 360 offers up to a claimed 10 stops of dynamic range and records camera metrics such as water temperature, water depth and camera orientation during recording. Operators are given various elements of control, such as underwater start/stop and manual aperture control. 

Boxfish released the camera for preorder last week and will begin shipping the next batch starting May 15. Interested buyers can pay a 50% balance of the $ 14,990 USD price tag to secure a unit, or buyers can pay outright ahead of the shipment date. A total of ten cameras are offered in the next batch, some of which are already reserved.

Via: Boxfish Research

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon outfits industrial drone with ME20F-SH all-purpose camera

06 Apr

If you’re looking for a drone that can fly in nasty weather and see in the dark, then Canon has something for you. The PD6E2000-AW-CJ1 is an industrial drone with a Canon ME20F-SH all-purpose camera designed to help in disaster relief, thanks to its ability to shoot at ISO 4 million and generally see in the dark. 

It’s not a Canon-made drone. In late 2016 Canon Marketing Japan made an investment in Prodrone Co., a Japanese drone maker, stating that Canon would install imaging devices on the company’s drones and act as a principal distributor. Canon is aiming for ¥5 billion worth of drone-related imaging sales by 2020.

The PD6E2000-AW-CJ1 (say that five times fast) appears to be based on Prodrone’s all-weather PD6-AW, which supports a 10 kg / 22 lb payload, can fly at up to 65 km/h / 40 mph and can handle wind speeds up to 10 m/s / 22 mph. Take a look at the drone in action below.

Via: Canon Rumors Source: Canon

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Android 7.1.2 update fixes Google Pixel’s pink camera streaks issue

05 Apr

Google has released Android 7.1.2 for the Pixel and Nexus smartphones, and with it comes a fix for the pink streaking issue affecting some Pixel cameras. Owners affected by the issue report a pink banding and vertical lines that appear on photos taken using the Pixel’s camera app. Google had encouraged affected handset owners to factory reset their phone as a temporary solution for the problem, and now it has released a permanent fix with the latest version of Android.

In addition to fixing the Pixel’s pink banding problem, Android 7.1.2 for Pixel and Nexus phones brings improvements to Bluetooth connectivity and fingerprint swipe performance, and also adds battery usage alerts. Google says audio popping and early shutdown issues have also been fixed.

The update is available now via both OTA update images and factory images. Handset owners who don’t want to manually flash their device with an image can wait for the update to be delivered to their phone over-the-air, the rollout of which is happening now.

Via: Android Police

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with two different camera sensors

01 Apr

It appears that as with previous Samsung flagship smartphones, the brand new Galaxy S8 and S8+ will, depending on region, come with different camera sensors. Since the launch users have spotted versions with Sony IMX333 and S5K2L2 ISOCELL image sensors. The latter is made by System LSI, which is a subsidiary of Samsung.

The situation is the same for the front camera. One version features a Sony IMX320 imager, the other comes with an ISOCELL S5K3H1 sensor. That said, there is no difference between the two versions in terms of camera specifications. In both main cameras the sensor is a 1/2.55″ 12.2MP variant with Dual-Pixel AF. With an F1.7 aperture and optical image stabilization the lens specification is identical as well. Sensor size in the front camera is not known at this point but all models come with an F1.7 aperture and face-detection AF.

Considering camera specifications are identical on all models and presumably so will be image processing, we should not expect any noticeable differences between the two versions, but if we get the chance, we’ll try and find out if there is any variation in image quality.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Samsung announces updated Gear 360 camera with 4K video

30 Mar

Together with its new Galaxy S8 flagship smartphones Samsung has also announced an updated version of its Gear 360 spherical camera. A new design, with some controls moved to the handle, allows for a smaller distance between the two 8.4MP sensors with F2.2 fisheye lenses and therefore better image stitching results. At the bottom of the handle there is now also a standard tripod-mount. 

On the video side of things resolution has been upped to 4096 × 2048 video at 24 fps. Still images are still captured at a 15MP size. A dedicated app allows for seamless sharing, viewing and editing of your captured content. In addition the new Gear 360 comes with real-time content sharing and supports live broadcasting and direct uploading to platforms such as Facebook, YouTube or Samsung VR. 

In addition to most recent Samsung flagship devices the latest edition of the Gear 360 is now also compatible with iOS devices including the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE, as well as Windows and Mac computers. 

Key specifications:

  • Two CMOS 8.4-megapixel fish-eye cameras
  • F2.2 apertures
  • 15MP still images
  • 4096×2048 video at 24fps
  • microSD card (Up to 256GB)
  • IP53 Certified Dust and Water Resistant

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Gcam: the story behind the Google Pixel camera software

28 Mar

Google’s now independent X research division, which calls itself ‘the moonshot factory,’ has been publishing a collection of stories about the group’s graduated projects and where they stand today. The latest article in the so-called Graduate Series offers a closer look at Gcam, the software behind the class-leading cameras in Google’s Pixel devices. 

The blog post outlines how the Gcam team was set up back in 2011 to find a solution for the Google Glasses smart goggles’ most pressing challenge: providing a high-quality camera in a very small device. As using bigger hardware wasn’t an option, the Gcam team developed a method called image fusion, which uses multi-frame-stacking techniques to create a single, higher quality image with lower noise levels, better detail and increased dynamic range. 

The technology, which is now called HDR+, quickly grew beyond Google Glass and made it into the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 cameras and eventually became the default camera mode in the Google Pixel series. The Gcam team now works across a range of imaging-related technologies, including Android, YouTube, Google Photos 360?Virtual Reality projects. If you are interested in more detail you can read the full blog entry on the X blog or find our full Google Pixel XL camera review here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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