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Posts Tagged ‘Camera’

Adobe releases ‘massive update’ to Camera Profiles in ACR and Lightroom

03 Apr
The new Profiles panel in Lightroom CC. Credit: Adobe

Earlier today, Adobe launched a major update to Camera Profiles (now known as just “Profiles”) in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), Lightroom Classic CC, Lightroom CC, and both versions of Lightroom Mobile. The update brings six new Adobe RAW profiles, over 40 new Creative profiles, a new profile browser, and a bunch of new features and feature enhancements across both mobile and desktop.

The most significant update here is obviously Profiles.

Camera Profiles has now been renamed “Profiles”, and the whole panel has been moved so it’s easier to find. In Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom Classic CC, Profiles have been moved from the Camera Calibration panel into the Basics panel; in Lightroom CC, they’ve been added to the top of the edit panel.

But this update isn’t just about adding Profiles to Lightroom CC and moving them around a bit. There are now six new Adobe RAW profiles to work with.

Six New Adobe RAW Profiles

In addition to the tried and true Adobe Standard, you now have Adobe Color, Adobe Monochrome, Adobe Landscape, Adobe Neutral, Adobe Portrait, and Adobe Vivid. Credit: Adobe

Previously, the only Adobe RAW profile you had at your disposal was Adobe Standard. Now, you’ve got six more to choose from:

  • Adobe Color: designed to improve the look and rendering of warm tones, improve the transition between certain color ranges, and slightly increase the starting contrast of your photos. As the new default, it was designed to work with the widest range of photos.
  • Adobe Monochrome: Tuned to be “a great starting point” for any black & white photo. Results in better tonal separation and contrast than Adobe Standard converted to B&W.
  • Adobe Landscape: Produces more vibrant skies and foliage tones.
  • Adobe Neutral: Provides a starting point with very low contrast. Adobe claims this one is most useful “for photos where you want the most control, or that have very difficult tonal ranges.”
  • Adobe Portrait: Provides “more control and better reproduction of skin tones.” This means less contrast and saturation applied to skin tones throughout the photo, so you have more control over how those tones turn out.
  • Adobe Vivid: A “punchy, saturated starting point.”

The point of each of these profiles (and Adobe Standard) is to give your images a unified “look and feel” regardless of the camera you’re using. But now, rather than a single profile, you’ve got six “starting points” to choose from depending on your genre and photo editing style.

Adobe Color replaces 10-year-old Adobe Standard as the default profile for newly imported photos, but you’ll still have access to all of them in the new Profiles section of the Basics panel.

New Creative Profiles

Creative Profile comparison. Credit: Adobe

You now have 40+ Creative profiles to choose from, split up into four groups: Artistic, Modern, Vintage, and Black & White. These profiles can be applied to both Raw and non-Raw photos, and come with a 3D Lookup Table (LUT) for a level of control that was previously reserved for Photoshop.

Creative profiles also come with an Amount slider, so you can increase or decrease the effect.

Black & White Creative Profiles comparison. Credit: Adobe

Additionally, Adobe has also been working with some popular Lightroom preset creators to create a range of 3rd Party Profiles, some of which are already available today. These include profiles by photographers Brian Matiash and Matt Kloskowski, and companies like RNI Films and Contrastly.

You can find links to all of the 3rd Party Profiles on the Adobe blog post about this update.

Updates to Lightroom CC on Android and iOS

The new Detail tab in Lightroom CC for Android. Credit: Adobe

In addition to the Profiles update described above, Lightroom CC for iOS, Android and ChromeOS all got some feature updates and upgrades as well.

On the Android/ChromeOS front, a new Details tab provides Sharpening and Noise Reduction options, Grain options have been added for “realistic film grain,” and some additional control for sharing images over Lightroom CC Web have been added as well.

For iOS users, the new Geometry tab will help you straighten crooked and skewed photos using new Upright, Guided Upright, and Geometry sliders; the same Grain options mentioned above have been added, and Adobe has introduced a Left-Handed Editing Mode on the iPad. The company has also done some iPhone X layout optimizations to take advantage of the dreaded notch.

The new Geometry tab in Lightroom CC for iOS. Credit: Adobe

A Few More Things

Finally, in addition to everything mentioned above, a few minor improvements have been made to Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic CC on the Desktop.

In Lightroom Classic CC, the Dehaze tool has been made more accessible by moving it to the Basics panel, the Tone Curve panel has been expanded for better/more precise control, and the face-tagging algorithm has been improved.

In Lightroom CC, support has been added for Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, and a new filter option has been added that allows you to sort your images by “sync status.”

To learn more about all of the updates detailed above, and particularly if you want to dive deeper into the new Profiles features, head over to the Adobe blog or update your Adobe Camera Raw, Lightroom CC and/or Lightroom Classic CC to the latest version. This update went live about 15 minutes ago, and should be available to all Creative Cloud subscribers.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Review: The Petzi Treat Cam is a camera with an integrated pet feeder

02 Apr

Most of the cameras we test at DPReview fall into predicable categories like DSLRs, mirrorless, and compact enthusiast models. However, we feel a sense of obligation to bring you industry-leading technical reviews of other imaging products as well.

With that in mind, we present our review of the Petzi Treat Cam, a camera with an integrated pet treat dispenser. Unlike most cameras, which are designed to take with you, the Treat Cam is meant to be left at home. Once you’re in the field you can check in on Rover or Fluffy using the camera’s smartphone app, give out treats, take photos and even talk to your pets. What’s not to love?

We tried to reproduce the Treat Cam’s unique feature set using a mirrorless camera, a bowl of pet treats, and a DPReview editor. It didn’t end well.

Key features:

  • Fixed-lens camera with autofocus
  • Support for video live streaming
  • Built-in treat dispenser
  • Speaker for talking to your pets from afar
  • Night mode with IR light
  • Smartphone app with remote operation
  • Social media network for pets

The Treat Cam has a different form factor than most cameras we review, owing to the fact that it includes an integrated storage reservoir for treats. It lacks the ergonomic niceties found on other cameras though, strictly speaking, the Petzi isn’t really designed for handheld use. (OK, it’s totally not intended for handheld use, but that didn’t prevent us from trying.)

Although the Petzi Treat Cam excels at some tasks, it’s not the best camera for hand-held use.

Setting up the Treat Cam is a breeze. Create an account on the Petzi network, pair your phone with the camera using the Petzi app and – Shazam! – you’re connected. Pop off the plastic cover, fill it with treats and you’re ready for action. You can now leave your pets at home to scratch the furniture unabated, knowing you can check in on them anywhere, any time.

Back home, the Treat Cam plays a chime to alert your pets that you’ve dropped in for a visit. Whether your pets actually care that you’ve made the effort is another matter entirely. In my early attempts to drop in on my cats from half a world away, I was usually met with a view of an empty room, because they were no doubt busy scratching the furniture elsewhere in the house.

Stick with it, and you’ll be rewarded. Treat Cam has a built-in speaker so you can talk to your pets, or plead with them to please stop scratching the furniture. Unfortunately, there’s no corresponding microphone on the camera, so you won’t be able to hear them. You can also take photos to share with your friends or with your friends’ pets (more on this later).

The Treat Cam lets you check in on your pets while away from home.

Of course, the most important feature is the Treat Launcher. And launch, it does. This thing shoots treats like little projectiles, halfway across the room, and if you’ve loaded up the camera with extra small treats it becomes a little pet treat shotgun. Good stuff.

Finally, there’s a ‘night mode’, which activates an infrared light and switches to black and white, making the Treat Cam more usable in low light settings.

Treat Cam has a built-in speaker so you can talk to your pets, or plead with them to please stop scratching the furniture.

The entire process is a learning experience for both you and your pets. Over time, my cats learned to recognize the Treat Cam’s chime and now show up quickly when I connect. I’d like to believe they’re showing up for the engaging conversation.

Image quality

Of course, this is DPReview and we know what all you pet-owning photographers really care about image quality, so we took the Treat Cam into the studio and shot our test scene.

The Petzi Treat Cam has modest resolution and exhibits some barrel distortion, but it’s also the only camera we’ve tested that can fire pet treats back at the test scene. As always, tradeoffs.

A quick glance at the image reveals a fair amount of barrel distortion. OK, there’s a lot of barrel distortion, but this isn’t exactly an architectural camera we’re talking about. In practice, the chart reveals more distortion than you’re likely to see in real world photos. Unless, of course, your pets are shaped like squares or wearing a test chart.

The Treat Cam loses a few points when it comes to image quality, and resolution is not particularly high. We tried to determine the camera’s exact resolution, but after a bit of testing discovered that it always matches the resolution of our phone screen. Yep – the app is basically taking a screen shot and saving it to your camera roll.

It occurred to us that we could probably calculate the exact resolution with a bit of additional analysis, but to be honest it was a lot more fun to shoot M&Ms out of the camera and we got sidetracked doing that instead.

Social network

Your dogs or cats may not be on Facebook, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do social media. Your pets can create their own profiles on the Petzi network (likely, with your assistance), post pictures, and even follow your friends’ pets. My cats have been friends with Jeff Keller’s cats for a few months, and we’d like to believe it’s having a positive impact on their social experience.

With the Petzi app, your pets can follow other pets. Or, at least you can pretend they do.

Of course, social networks are social networks, and you can’t force anyone to like you. Wenmei Hill’s dogs have yet to accept my cats’ friend requests, and I think they’re starting to feel a bit miffed.

If you don’t want to use the Petzi network, it’s easy enough to share photos on human-powered networks like Facebook and Twitter as well.

Compared to…

The Petzi is the first camera with an integrated pet feeder we’ve reviewed and our options for comparison were limited, so we decided to compare it to the medium format Fujifilm GFX 50S. Because why not.

Petzi Treat Cam Fujifilm GFX 50S

Price

 $ 170 $ 6500
Camera type Fixed lens Mirrorless
Pixel count Not specified 50MP
Touchscreen control Yes

Yes
Still photos Yes Yes
Video Yes (live streaming) Yes (1080/30p)
Integrated pet feeder Yes No
Smartphone app Yes Yes
Dedicated social network Yes No
Tripod mount Yes (wall mount) Yes
Shots per charge Requires power cord 400
Weight 1814 g (not including treats) 740 g

As this table shows, it’s possible to make any camera look impressive by choosing the right things to compare, and the Treat Cam doesn’t disappoint. Although the GFX 50S has an impressive 50MP resolution, it costs $ 6500, lacks a dedicated social network, and most importantly, does not include an integrated pet feeder.

The Petzi Treat Cam next to the Fujifilm GFX 50S for scale.

As with any choice, this one comes down to what’s most important to you: high resolution, dynamic range and precision optics, or the ability to bond with your pets from half a world away by shooting dog biscuits from your phone. Without making any judgements, its a deeply personal decision.

Who’s it for?

If you’re a frequent traveler with pets at home, a product like the Petzi Treat Cam is a no-brainer. It’s an easy way to drop in on your pets and give them treats while you’re away. However, thanks to our extensive field tests we can provide some pragmatic advice to potential buyers.

The treat cam works pretty well with dogs right out of the box, probably because that little Petzi chime gets them excited every time it goes off, even if they don’t know why. Dogs are pretty easy that way.

Night mode is useful if it’s dark when you call home.

Cats don’t respond quite as quickly to the Petzi, possibly due to the fact that they’re so busy scratching the furniture while you’re gone. However, once they make the association between the chime and chicken treats that appear out of thin air they’re pretty good at coming over to say hi as well.

We had less success with fish, hamsters, tropical birds, snakes, iguanas and flying squirrels, but your mileage may vary. Let us know if you have any luck with these.

Our take

What we liked What we would improve
  • Easy setup and configuration
  • Large treat reservoir
  • Ability to visit pets from anywhere in the world
  • Improved camera resolution
  • Two-way audio
What our pets liked

What our pets would improve
  • Treat dispenser is sometimes a bit too generous
  • Getting treats when their person is away from home
  • An even more generous treat dispenser
  • Ability to dispense treats on their own

The final word

The Petzi Treat Cam is the first integrated pet feeder camera we’ve reviewed, and we’re generally impressed. Sure, you might give up certain features found in higher end cameras, such as resolution and image quality, but as we all know, specs aren’t everything. After all, if you’ve ever tried to feed your pet over the Internet using a DSLR (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t) you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. And for that reason, the Petzi earns a solid ‘Paws Up’ award from the DPReview team.

In case it isn’t obvious at this point, we’d like to make it clear that we’re partaking in the great tradition of April Fool’s silliness with this review. Our pets took it very seriously, though. They don’t really get jokes.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DJI launches Zenmuse XT2 4K visual and thermal camera for enterprise drones

30 Mar

DJI has teamed up with FLIR Systems to launch the Zenmuse XT2, its newest thermal camera for drones. As with the original XT model launched in 2015, the XT2 captures heat signatures to reveal things otherwise invisible to the naked eye. On-board FLIR MSX tech combines both the heat data and visual data from the camera into a single image for easier object identification.

The model features a 12MP 4K visual camera with a 1/1.7″ CMOS sensor (up to 8x digital zoom) and two different thermal resolutions: 336 x 256 (up to 4x digital zoom) and 640 x 512 (up to 8x digital zoom). It also sports 9mm, 13mm, 19mm, and 25mm lenses, and an IP44 rating for flights in fog, rain, snow, and smoke.

DJI’s Spotlight Pro tech utilizes both HeatTrack and QuickTrack flight modes to automatically track objects while the operator concentrates on incoming data and flight operations.

The Zenmuse XT2 thermal camera is designed for use in search and rescue operations, to perform industrial inspections, and more. The camera is compatible with the DJI Matrice 600 Pro and Matrice 200 Series enterprise drones; support will arrive first in the Android app followed later on by the iOS app.

Authorized DJI Enterprise dealers around the globe are now offering the Zenmuse XT2 thermal camera, but DJI hasn’t revealed the price. FLIR is accepting quote requests from potential customers, though.

Press Release

DJI Gives Drones More Power For Commercial Use

Zenmuse XT2 Thermal Camera And Payload SDK Transform DJI’s Drones Into Specialized Platforms For Any Industrial Purpose Including Inspections, Public Safety And Saving Lives

DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, unveiled new technology and tools to customize its enterprise drone platforms for specialized tasks such as infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, firefighting and search and rescue.

The new Zenmuse XT2 thermal imaging camera, created in partnership with FLIR Systems, is a critical tool for drone operators to capture heat signatures invisible to the naked eye. Its side-by-side visual and thermal imaging sensors provide unparalleled data capture and situational awareness during emergency services, disaster recovery and industrial inspection uses. DJI’s powerful new Payload Software Development Kit (SDK) allows innovative drone startups, developers, and sensor and device manufacturers to easily integrate custom cameras, sensors and other types of payloads onto DJI drones, unlocking the true potential of drone technology for businesses, governments and researchers around the world.

“The Zenmuse XT2 continues our longstanding partnership with FLIR to create the most powerful thermal imaging solution available on a drone today. This is a significant advancement for public safety professionals who are using drones to save lives and creating new industrial applications across different verticals,” said Jan Gasparic, Head of Enterprise Partnerships at DJI. “Our new Payload SDK makes it possible for any manufacturer to create a payload specific to their customers’ needs that will work seamlessly with DJI’s aircraft. We believe these two advances will not only strengthen DJI’s leadership in the commercial drone industry, but will also provide a powerful, flexible and standardized platform which customers from different industries can build upon.”

Intelligent Thermal Data for Critical Missions

The Zenmuse XT2 is a powerful thermal imaging camera that transforms data into actionable insights. Its gimbal-stabilized, dual-sensor design combines an advanced FLIR® radiometric thermal imager and a 4K visual camera to allow drone operators to view thermal and visual data while in flight, delivering an unmatched level of versatility and image detail for high-performance uses from industrial inspections to public safety operations.

Professional drone operators can use on-board intelligent features like FLIR MSX® technology to combine visual and temperature data into one image, allowing operators to easily identify objects of concern. DJI’s unique Spotlight Pro features let operators focus on safe flight operations and data interpretation while the camera automatically tracks an object through two intelligent flight modes: QuickTrack centers the camera on the selected area while HeatTrack automatically tracks the hottest object in view. The Temp Alarm feature interprets thermal data in real-time and alerts drone operators when an object’s temperature exceeds critical thresholds.

“We are excited to continue our collaboration with DJI to develop sensors for their industry leading drone platforms,” said Frank Pennisi, President of the Industrial Business Unit at FLIR Systems. “The Zenmuse XT2 uses a radiometric thermal imaging camera core to capture accurate temperature data for every pixel, ensuring that drone operators have access to as much information as possible during critical and often lifesaving missions.”

The Zenmuse XT2 is compatible with DJI’s Matrice 200 Series and Matrice 600 Pro enterprise drones. It will be first available for the DJI Pilot mobile app for Android and later for the DJI XT Pro mobile app for iOS devices. Its rugged design and IP44 ingress protection rating gives it versatility to be flown in a wide variety of conditions including rain, snow, smoke and fog[1]. With a 12-megapixel visual camera, it is available in two thermal sensor resolutions of 640 x 512 or 336 x 256, with 9mm, 13mm, 19mm, and 25mm lenses.

For more information on the Zenmuse XT2, please visit: dji.com/zenmuse-xt2.

The Future of Commercial Drone Customization

DJI’s new Payload SDK enables non-DJI cameras, sensors, and payloads like air-to-ground communications tools and devices to be mounted and integrated directly into DJI’s Matrice 200 Series drones. By opening this layer of DJI’s core technology to the commercial drone ecosystem, any manufacturer, developer or researcher can create a drone that is customized for a specific purpose or industry.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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5 Tips To Help You Enjoy Your First Digital Camera

29 Mar

It’s easy to use a modern digital camera to take generic looking snapshots. Getting beyond what’s easy requires a little, or a lot, of commitment, (depending on how creative you desire to become.)

Reflection of a tricycle taxi rider in his bike mirror in Chiang Mai, Thailand. - 5 Tips To Help You Enjoy Your First Digital Camera

Dedicating a little time each day to learning how to use your new camera will enable you to be truly creative in your photography. Without a good understanding of the basics of photography and how to control your camera, and regular practice with it, you will most likely continue to produce bland photos and become disheartened.

Let me encourage you by offering you five tips to help you really enjoy your first digital camera.

Thai woman and child share a fun moment with a DSLR camera in Chiang Mai, Thailand - 5 Tips To Help You Enjoy Your First Digital Camera

1. Use YouTube and Google

Use YouTube and Google, rather than your camera’s manual, to learn the basic controls. Camera manuals are notoriously difficult to make sense of so finding alternative sources of information that provide you with a foundational understanding of your specific camera can be more beneficial for you.

Searching online for your camera model along with the word “settings” will often return you results which are easier to follow than the manual that came with your camera. Find a good website or video channel where you can comfortably follow the presenter. This will help you gain the knowledge you need in order to control your camera well.

back of a DSLR camera showing the image of the Iron Bridge in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on the monitor - 5 Tips To Help You Enjoy Your First Digital Camera

2. Take a Course or Workshop

Going beyond the very basics will require a little more study. Once you are a little more familiar with your camera and its essential controls, joining a workshop, night class, or enrolling in an online course can help take you to the next level of photographic skill and creativity.

Books and websites are helpful as well, but I find people interested in photography are often visual and tactile learners. Many people who join our photography workshops in-person or study with our online courses give us wonderful feedback that they have learned more with our help during a workshop or course than they have through self-study with books or other mostly text-based learning.

Man with two cameras teaches photography - first digital camera

Before you enroll in a course it’s important to discover the content and style being taught. Make sure you are comfortable with whoever is teaching and ensure that they have sufficient knowledge and experience to convey what you want to learn.

There’s an abundance of photography courses available at various prices and levels of quality. Starting with a general course and then progressing on to more in-depth topics will build your photography experience in a positive manner.

people Learning photography - 5 Tips To Help You Enjoy Your First Digital Camera

3. Use Your Camera Every Day

One of the easiest and certainly most beneficial ways to grow as a photographer is to use your camera every day.

Even if you can only manage 10 or 15 minutes a day, if you are diligent and practice for a year, you will see a vast improvement in your photographs within 12 months.

To master any creative art form requires regular practice. Musicians, actors, painters etc., all must put in regular hours of dedicated practice to become successful. If you want to develop your skill level and produce truly creative photographs you must do the same.

Tricycle Taxi Rider in Chiang Mai, Thailand - 5 Tips To Help You Enjoy Your First Digital Camera

Taking my advice in tips one and two above will help you somewhat, but if you practice regularly and take photos every day you will certainly make the most of the study you have engaged in.

4. Go Easy On Yourself

Go easy on yourself. It’s very common for creatively oriented people to be too critical of their initial efforts. Learning to step back and taking a somewhat objective view of your photos as a beginner is a healthy practice.

Looking down at a Tricycle Taxi Rider in Chiang Mai, Thailand, With a Thai flag - 5 Tips To Help You Enjoy Your First Digital Camera

Don’t compare your photos to those of really experienced photographers, but instead compare them to photos you have made previously.

If you are following my first three tips and compare photos you are currently making to ones you’ve made previously, you will begin to see a development in your technical skills, creative expression, and style.

Tricycle Taxis at Night near Warorot Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

5. Make a Habit of Photographing Something You Love

Start with something you love. By photographing a subject you are interested in, familiar with, and even passionate about, you are more likely to be encouraged by the results. Make sure to choose a subject which is easy for you and you can make a regular habit of shooting.

For example, if you love dogs but don’t own one, making regular dog photos may not be practical. If you love gardening and frequently have time to spend tending your garden, take your camera with you when you do so. This would be an ideal type of subject for you to start with.

Find something that you love and that’s easy and it may turn into a lifetime photographic project.

Detail of decoration on a tricycle taxi in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

I’ve always photographed bikes and love the Samlors in Thailand.

In Conclusion

Modern cameras are designed to be easy to use and return good results in most situations. However, I know many people who have invested in a good digital camera only to become somewhat frustrated because they are not achieving the results they had hoped for.

Taking time to learn your camera settings, study, practice, think positively and objectively about your photos, and having an on-going project to work on will help you grow as a photographer and develop your own unique style.

Tricycle Taxi in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The post 5 Tips To Help You Enjoy Your First Digital Camera appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Canon announces C700 FF cinema camera: now with full frame

28 Mar

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Canon has announced the newest member of its Cinema EOS camera family, the EOS C700 FF. As the name implies, it’s an updated version of Canon’s C700 cinema camera that includes a full frame sensor in place of a Super 35 sensor.

On most cameras we generally think of ‘full frame’ as representing a 24x36mm frame with a 3:2 aspect ratio, but the C700 FF defines this a bit differently. The Canon-developed sensor used in the camera has a native resolution of 5952 x 3140 pixels, providing a 17:9 cinema-friendly aspect ratio, and has an imaging area of 38.1×20.1mm in size.

While that’s a bit wider and shorter than a standard full frame sensor, it requires the same image circle size as a full frame DSLR,* meaning the C700 FF can use Canon’s entire line of EF-mount lenses at their standard focal lengths. For maximum flexibility, the C700 FF can be ordered with either EF or PL-mount.

Canon claims the new sensor exceeds 15 stops of dynamic range when shooting with either the Canon Log2 gamma curve or in Raw

With 5.9K resolution, the camera is able to record oversampled 4K video internally, which should provide superior results to a native 4K sensor. Users can choose between two codecs to capture footage internally: Canon’s own XF-AVC or Apple ProRes. Additionally, the C700 FF can record Raw video when using an optional Codex recorder mounted to the back of the camera, recording at up to 5.9K/60p in Raw.

In addition to impressive video resolution, Canon claims the new sensor exceeds 15 stops of dynamic range when shooting with either the Canon Log2 gamma curve or in Raw, which should make it an effective tool for producing HDR video content.

The EOS C700 FF has an estimated retail price of $ 33,000, and will be available in both EF and PL mount versions. It’s expected to be available in July. Existing C700 owners will have the option of upgrading their camera from a Super 35 sensor to the new full frame sensor, though upgrade pricing has not been announced.

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In addition to a new camera, Canon announced a couple other useful tools for filmmakers. The new CN-E20 mm T1.5 L F is a fully manual, 20mm cinema prime lens, filling a hole between Canon’s existing 14mm and 24mm cinema primes. The lens includes 300 degrees of focus rotation, minimized focus breathing, and an 11-blade diaphragm for high quality bokeh even when stopping down. It will be available in fall 2018. Pricing was not announced.

Canon also announced a couple professional 4K HDR reference displays: the 24-inch DP-V2421 and 17-inch DP-V1711. With features like 12G-SDI terminals supporting 4K 60p footage, support for Canon’s Log gamma curves, built-in waveform monitor, and built-in HDR metering, these displays should deliver impressive results – but it will cost you. The 24-inch model will sell for $ 39,000 and the 17-inch model for $ 18,000, and both will be available at the end of April.

* The image diagonal of a 3:2 ratio full frame camera is 43.2mm while the image diagonal of the C700 FF’s 17:9 sensor is 43mm.

Press release:

?INTRODUCING CANON’S FIRST FULL-FRAME CINEMA CAMERA, ?THE EOS C700 FF

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 28, 2018 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to announce the EOS C700 FF, the Company’s first full-frame cinema camera. The beauty and majesty of full-frame digital cinema is now becoming a new creative reality. Since the introduction of the EOS 5D Mark II DSLR camera in 2008, Canon has been a part of the full-frame video movement, and the introduction of the C700 FF has reinforced Canon’s commitment to this market. At the heart of the camera is a novel Canon-developed CMOS image sensor having a total of 5952 (H) x 3140 (V) photosites with a digital cinema 17:9 aspect ratio, which gives it the same image circle size as the full frame EOS 5D camera series. This supports a wide range of shooting options.

Available in both PL and EF Mount, the EOS C700 FF provides users with the same outstanding performance, operation and modular design as the EOS C700 (released in December 2016). The camera is being shown publicly for the first time at the Canon booth (C4325) at the NAB Show 2018 in Las Vegas from April 9-12.

“Since the launch of Canon’s Cinema EOS line of products in November 2011, the goal was to one day develop a cinema camera worthy of being the ‘A’ camera on major Hollywood productions, and Canon met that goal with the introduction of the EOS C700,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “After listening to our customers and closely monitoring market trends, Canon set forth a new goal: to launch a full-frame cinema camera. With this introduction, we are very excited to see the C700 FF in the hands of industry professionals as they shoot their latest projects.”

Existing owners of Canon’s original EOS C700 cinema camera will be pleased to know they can have their Super 35mm sensor upgraded to the new Full-Frame sensor for a fee*. Authorized Canon facilities such as Canon Burbank are ready to process C700 upgrades as well as lens mount swaps, and offer equipment drop off, on-site repairs and upgrades, as well as equipment testing and demonstration.

The Sensor

The newly developed sensor featured in the EOS C700 FF has an active image area of 38.1 x 20.1mm and supports readout at full size, as well as Super 35mm, Super 16mm and anamorphic modes. In addition to full-frame lenses, it can be used with conventional Super 35mm lenses to originate 4K / UHD standardized production formats and Super 16mm lenses (with an adapter) to originate 2K / HD production formats in crop modes. The sensor captures wide tonality exceeding 15 stops of dynamic range and a wide color gamut meeting ITU-R BT.2020 standards. This offers broad latitude when grading, providing outstanding effectiveness in HDR video production.

Recording

The EOS C700 FF embodies a choice of two high-performance codecs for on-board recording –Canon XF-AVC or Apple ProRes. Like other cameras in the 4K Cinema EOS family, the EOS C700 FF uses CFast cards to capture 4K / UHD or 2K / HD. A striking feature of the C700 FF is the Oversampling 4K Processing that processes a 5.9K image capture to produce 4K (DCI or UHD) having enhanced image sharpness, curtailed moire, and a lowered visibility of noise at the higher ISO settings. This is especially advantageous for on-board anamorphic image capture. Low-rate 2K/HD proxy data including metadata, can be recorded to SD cards, ideal for offline editing. The camera also allows high-frame-rate recording of up to 168fps in 2K crop and relay or simultaneous recording onto both CFast cards. In addition, the C700 FF can shoot at a Full HD high-frame-rate recording at a maximum of 168 fps. Additional formats are planned with future firmware updates.

To further complement the features of the EOS C700 FF, Canon has turned to its trusted partner Codex to provide a fully integrated (no cables) recording and workflow option. The combination of the optional Codex CDX-36150 recorder docked onto the back of the EOS C700 FF enables 5.9K 60 fps RAW recording, 4K RAW up to 72 fps (in 24p mode), 4K ProRes up to 60 fps and 2K ProRes up to 168 fps (in Super 16mm mode).

The C700 FF also supports the latest version (1.0) of the ACESproxy, the ACES (Academy Color Encoding System) color management transmission standard.

HDR

For users looking to create High Dynamic Range (HDR) imagery, the EOS C700 FF is an excellent solution, providing 15 stops of latitude (with Canon Log2 only), along with Canon’s proprietary Log Gammas (Canon Log3, Canon Log2 and Canon Log) and renowned color science. Canon Log2 is recommended when originating HDR imagery containing both highlight details and deep shadowed details. In comparison with Canon Log, Canon Log3 offers a wider dynamic range while retaining performance in darker regions.

Additionally, these cameras seamlessly integrate with Canon’s latest professional 4K UHD Reference Displays for on-set review and color management that conforms to SMPTE ST 2084 standards of HDR display.

The look of a cinematic production begins with the lens, and the EOS C700 FF offers both PL and EF lens mount options which are interchangeable at a Canon authorized service center. For full frame imaging, the EF lens mount version of the new EOS C700 FF is compatible with Canon’s family of seven Cinema Prime lenses, including the newly announced CN-E20mm T1.5 L F lens, as well as the diverse lineup of over 70 interchangeable EF lenses. The EF mount supports Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology and Dual Pixel Focus Guide. The Focus Guide assists operators with a precision visual indicator in the viewfinder when pulling focus. Alternatively, for certain demanding shooting situations the reliable capabilities of Dual Pixel CMOS AF can be deployed. The EOS C700 FF PL mount version is also compatible with Cooke’s /i metadata communication technology.

The EOS C700 FF EF and EOS C700 FF PL are scheduled to be available in July 2018 for an estimated retail price of $ 33,000.00. For more information on the EOS C700 FF please visit, usa.canon.com/provideo.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Huawei unveils the P20 Pro with triple camera and large 1/1.7-inch image sensor

27 Mar

Huawei has just unveiled its latest flagship smartphone: the P20 Pro. And just as the rumors and leaks that have been floating around the Web for weeks predicted, the new model is the first smartphone to feature a triple camera setup.

Like in previous Huawei models, the camera has been developed in cooperation with Leica, and a main RGB sensor is accompanied by a high-resolution monochrome imager that serves several purposes: it provides depth estimation for the simulated bokeh effect, improves detail and noise levels by merging multiple shots, and helps with digital zooming. New on the P20 Pro is a third, dedicated tele-camera.

That said, Huawei hasn’t just stuck a third sensor and lens onto its existing dual-camera system, the P20 Pro is more innovative than that in several ways:

  • The main camera comes with an unusually large 1/1.7-inch sensor, which is approximately twice the size of the smaller sensors in most direct competitors. At F1.8 the aperture is not the largest, but thanks to the increase in sensor surface the P20 Pro’s main sensor is still capable of capturing around 20 percent more light than most rivals.
  • The main camera sensor also features a Quad Bayer structure with a total pixel count of 40MP. It outputs data binned in 2 × 2 pixel units, resulting in 10MP image output with better detail and lower noise levels.
  • The P20 Pro’s optically-stabilized tele-camera offers 3x zoom factor—approximately a 80mm equivalent focal length—significantly longer reach than the 2x tele-modules in the iPhone X, Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, or similar high-end devices. Huawei has been able to implement this longer reach while the 20MP monochrome is already contributing to decent zoom quality at 2x, allowing the tele to focus on 3x and larger magnifications.
The Huawei P20 Pro triple camera: Main camera at the center, monochrome camera on the left, tele module on the right.

Huawei claims significantly better low-light capabilities of the large main sensor, with ISO values up to 102400 allowing for usable exposures in very dim conditions. Other imaging features include phase detection and laser assistance in the AF system, predictive focus, motion detection, and a zero shutter lag for minimal delay before capture.

The rest of the specifications are worthy of a high-end device as well. The P20 Pro is powered by Huawei’s Kirin 970 chipset and 6GB of RAM, it offers a 4,000 mAh battery with quick-charge, and features 128GB of internal storage. Images can be viewed and composed on a 6.1-inch Full View display with minimal bezels.

The P20 Pro will be available in Europe from April for 900 Euros (approximately $ 1120 USD)—no information on availability in other regions has been released yet. In addition to the P20 Pro, Huawei has also launched the P20 smartphone, which is powered by the same chipset but comes with a smaller 5.8-inch screen and a more conventional dual-camera module. It will retail for 650 Euros (approximately $ 800 USD).

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Vivo V9 smartphone packs a 24MP front-facing camera and AI selfie software

27 Mar

Chinese phone manufacturer Vivo has launched a new flagship smartphone called the V9. This mid-tier model sports a design clearly inspired by the iPhone X, as well as one other very notable feature: a 24MP F2.0 front-facing camera. Whereas many smartphones still feature a low-resolution front camera, Vivo elected to put its higher-resolution camera on the front and pair it with its Face Access 2.0 security feature and AI-based Face Beauty selfie software.

As with previous Vivo models (and in case the front-facing camera resolution isn’t evidence enough), the V9 focuses on high-end selfies as a selling point. In this case, Vivo offers a feature called AI Face Beauty that is said to use machine learning determine things about the person featured in the selfie such as age and skin tone. That feature will ensure selfies “truly represent” the user’s beauty, according to The Verge.

The user will also have access to AR Stickers and will be able to unlock the phone using the front camera with Vivo’s Face Access feature.

On the back, dual 16MP + 5MP cameras, and inside there is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 SoC, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage. Finally, you’ll use the phone through its 6.3-inch 2280 x 1080 19:9 FullView 2 display, complete with much-maligned iPhone X-like notch.

The phone has launched in India where it is priced at Rs 22,990 / $ 355 USD / 284 EUR. Availability and cost in other markets isn’t clear at this time.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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GoPro licensing deal will let third parties use the company’s camera tech

24 Mar
Photo by Dose Media

GoPro has announced a new deal with manufacturing services company Jabil. The multi-year agreement, officially announced Thursday, will involve GoPro licensing its intellectual property and reference design to Jabil, which will use it to incorporate GoPro sensor modules and camera lenses into third-party products.

According to the GoPro announcement, the company will reserve approval over any third-party services and products in which its technology is used. The agreement includes an equipment license, ultimately covering “a range of products and services each company offers,” among them being “certain digital imaging and consumer products,” says GoPro.

This isn’t the first time Jabil and GoPro have worked together. Jabil Optics’ vice president Irv Stein calls this new deal “a natural extension” of the companies’ involvement with each other, explaining that the GoPro tech will likely be used in “enterprise” segment:

This agreement is a natural extension of our long-standing relationship with GoPro and our commitment to developing innovative technologies. Early market feedback indicates strong demand in the enterprise action camera segment for applications in smart homes, military, fire, police, rescue, and security.

Additional details about the agreement, including financial numbers, weren’t disclosed. However, the expanded partnership comes at a time when GoPro faces ongoing financial troubles that have resulted in multiple layoffs over past months. Licensing its goods may help GoPro survive its turbulent action camera sales.

Press Release

GoPro and Jabil Announce Global Technology and Equipment License

San Mateo, CA and St. Petersburg, FL, March 22, 2018 – GoPro, Inc. and Jabil Inc. today announced a global, multi-year technology and equipment license. With this agreement, Jabil will leverage GoPro’s cutting-edge reference design and IP to produce camera lens and sensor modules for incorporation into GoPro-approved third-party products and solutions. This agreement builds on GoPro and Jabil’s longstanding relationship.

“This collaborative approach with Jabil will enable innovative, GoPro enabled products and services from some of the most exciting hardware and software companies out there,” said Sandor Barna, GoPro’s chief technology officer. “Imagine a world where video conferencing, robotics, and even self-driving cars are powered by GoPro’s camera lenses and image sensors. Together, GoPro and Jabil can make this a reality.”

This agreement covers a range of products and services each company offers, including certain digital imaging and consumer products. GoPro and Jabil have a history of collaborating to bring high-quality, cutting-edge products to consumers, including GoPro’s line of HERO cameras, starting with HERO4.

“This agreement is a natural extension of our long-standing relationship with GoPro and our commitment to developing innovative technologies,” said Irv Stein, Jabil’s vice president of Jabil Optics. “Early market feedback indicates strong demand in the enterprise action camera segment for applications in smart homes, military, fire, police, rescue, and security.”

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DJI Phantom 5 leak hints at interchangeable lens camera system

21 Mar

A pair of images show what may be the upcoming DJI Phantom 5 drone featuring an interchangeable lens camera. The drone model hasn’t yet been announced and details about it aren’t yet officially available. However, leaks and rumors surrounding the drone have increased in past weeks, one of the most recent coming from Twitter user OsitaLV.

A drone said to possibly be the DJI Phantom 5 is featured in two tweeted images. The drone itself is mostly blurred, the only exception being a dark armature and what appears to be a silver or grey body. The drone’s camera, however, is featured front and center, appearing to reveal the presence of an interchangeable lens system.

The same user claimed in a later tweet, “DJI said that the leaked photo of the [Phantom 5] is a customized drone for designated users, not for sale.” The user expressed skepticism about that claim, but no official statements have been made. OsitaLV again tweeted a leak later on, that one a sketch featuring a drone said to be the Phantom 5.

An interchangeable lens camera isn’t beyond the realm of possibility. In October, DJI introduced the X7 camera, a Super 35/APS-C system created specifically for aerial use. Rather than build on an existing platform, DJI engineered its own camera, lens mount, and four cinema primes for the system at launch. Though we usually think of DJI as a drone company, it’s now a camera company as well, and it’s reasonable to assume it will leverage that expertise across additional products.

According to the tweet containing the image above, the DJI Phantom 5 drone features an aluminum shell, a plastic GPS antenna cover, and plastic landing gear. The leaker’s credibility as a source isn’t clear, however. It’s expected that DJI will announce the Phantom 5 model later on this year.

Via: PhotoRumors

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Galaxy S9 Plus’ camera is its third most expensive component

20 Mar

Last week the team at iFixit undertook a teardown of the brand new Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus to examine and evaluate the device’s repairability. Now analysts TechInsights have done the same thing, but with a focus on components and costs.

When taking the device apart the team found Samsung’s Fast 2L3 third-generation 12MP, 1.4 µm pixel-pitch Dual Pixel ISOCELL sensor in the main camera and a 12MP, 1.0 µm pixel-pitch Samsung S5K3M3SM in the tele-camera, the same as in the Galaxy Note 8 dual-camera module.

TechInsights also provides cost estimates for all components and at $ 48 the Samsung’s camera setup is the third largest cost block on the device. Only the display at $ 72.50 and the main chipset at $ 68 have a higher impact on the overall figure. Final assembly and testing is estimated as $ 12.50, and the overall manufacturing cost of the device is $ 379.

Given in the US the S9 Plus currently retails at $ 840 unlocked, this should leave a decent margin for covering overheads and, crucially, making a profit. For more technical details and up-close images of most components have a look at the full report on TechInsights.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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