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Posts Tagged ‘Image’

Science photography award goes to image of a single trapped atom

14 Feb
Single Atom in an Ion Trap | Photo by David Nadlinger/University of Oxford/EPSRC/PA

A photo of a single trapped atom has won the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s (EPSRC) science photography contest. The image, which is titled “Single Atom in an Ion Trap,” was taken by David Nadlinger of the University of Oxford. Showcased in the image is single positively-charged strontium atom trapped by electric fields produced by metal electrodes.

You have to zoom in to really see it, but even that is incredible when you really wrap your mind around what you’re looking at. Here’s a closer crop:

This closer crop better shows the glowing strontium atom, trapped by electric fields produced by electrodes in the vacuum chamber.

According to the EPSRC, the image is a long exposure that was taken through an ultra-high vacuum chamber’s window. A blue-violet laser was used to illuminate the atom, which absorbed light particles and then re-emitted them. That process produces enough light that a regular camera can photograph the atom if a long exposure is used.

Photographer and overall EPSRC contest winner David Nadlinger discussed the idea behind the image:

The idea of being able to see a single atom with the naked eye had struck me as a wonderfully direct and visceral bridge between the minuscule quantum world and our macroscopic reality. A back-of-the-envelope calculation showed the numbers to be on my side, and when I set off to the lab with camera and tripods one quiet Sunday afternoon, I was rewarded with this particular picture of a small, pale blue dot.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Google strikes deal with Getty, will remove direct image links from search

13 Feb

Getty Images has announced a licensing deal with Google that resolves a 2016 lawsuit filed by the photo agency against the Internet giant. The lawsuit accused Google of “promoting piracy” by linking to high-resolution copyrighted images without watermarks, enabling anyone to save and use the images without paying the related fee.

At the heart of the issue was Google Image Search, and how it directly links to high-resolution images found in articles and other online destinations. Because the high-resolution images could be readily found on Google Images, users had little motivation to hunt down the proper image source. This resulted in many “accidental pirates” infringing image copyrights, the lawsuit claims.

To settle the matter, Getty and Google have jointly announced a new multi-year agreement last week, with Getty’s CEO Dawn Airey explaining that Getty “will license our market leading content to Google, working closely with them to improve attribution of our contributors’ work and thereby growing the ecosystem.” That, unfortunately, is as far as official details go.

Fortunately, The Verge elaborated on the agreement, reporting that Google will start removing direct links to image URLs and more prominently displaying copyright disclaimer—good news for all photographers and photo agencies, assuming this practice will go beyond images licensed by Getty.

Getty Images has formally withdrawn its legal complaint against Google.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018

08 Feb

When creating an HDR or High Dynamic Range photo, you typically need three or more images taken at different exposures (bracketed) to create one stunning image. But given the high dynamic range of today’s digital cameras, do you still need to shoot bracketed images to achieve the HDR look? In this article, I’ll show you how you can achieve HDR effects from a single image using Aurora HDR 2018.

Results will also be compared with an image made the “real” HDR way. Which is best? You be the judge.

What is HDR?

First off, let’s break down what HDR is exactly. As mentioned earlier, HDR combines a series of images, each taken with a different exposure. The result is a dramatic photo with brightened shadows and darkened highlights. Thus, shadows and highlights are the two main features that will play the biggest role in creating an HDR photo from a single image.

Using this insight, you could take a single shot and apply HDR effects by playing with just a few features that affect the overall dynamic range of your image. To start, here’s a single image of a landscape scene, shot in RAW.

Note: the images used in this article are courtesy of dPS editor Darlene Hildebrandt. 

How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018

1. Shoot in RAW

The very first thing you want to do with your single-image HDR image is to make sure it was taken in RAW format, not JPG. RAW files are larger in size than JPGs because they store much more image information.

This means that you can push lots of post-processing effects and even salvage parts of an image that would otherwise be unrecoverable. You could feasibly apply HDR effects to a JPG image, but the results won’t be as dramatic as they will be with a RAW file.

2. Adjust the Highlights and Shadows sliders

Since highlights and shadows tend to affect the overall brightness of an image, you’ll want to play with these sliders first. Pulling down the highlights can restore bright areas that appear washed out in an image while pulling up the shadows brighten up dark spots.

For example, the sample image above was opened in Aurora HDR 2018 and the highlights and shadows were pulled to their extremes, just for demonstration purposes. Check out the dramatic change that happens just by altering the highlights and shadows.

The sky now looks overly dramatic, and the foreground is really bright and practically free of shadows. Since HDR is largely done to taste, some might like this style as-is, while others might deem it too extreme. If you want a slightly less dramatic and more realistic photo, move the highlights and shadows sliders around to taste.

How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018

3. Adjust the Blacks and Whites sliders

To sharpen up your image and make it less flat, play around with the image blacks and whites. In general, adjusting whites is preferable to bumping up the exposure since the latter will affect highlights more than shadows and mid-tones.

If needed, you can even brighten your shadows more by using the Dodge tool and darken highlights with the Burn tool (built-into Aurora HDR). While dialing in the blacks of the image, be sure not to clip (lose detail) your shadows too much by going too far with the Black slider.

HINT: you want them to clip a little, otherwise there will be no black in the image and it will be flat.

4. Finish off with HDR Enhance and Smart Tone

Finally, top it off by adjusting two of Aurora HDR’s most unique and impactful features: HDR Enhance and Smart Tone.

The first feature, HDR Enhance, adds details, clarity, and color adjustment to an image without creating typical HDR problems such as a halo effect. Meanwhile, Smart Tone is a mapping algorithm that automatically brightens your image while also reducing noise.

These two features can be tweaked individually to achieve your HDR style of choice.

How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018

The Result

At this point, it’s worth noting that although Aurora HDR 2018 has many filters that you can apply to images, I didn’t use them all for demonstration purposes. Instead, I stuck to the main editing window on the right-hand panel (HDR Basic).

After tinkering around in Aurora HDR, these are my two resulting images. The first is a single shot with balanced exposure and HDR editing effects applied. Next is a regular 3-bracket HDR image. Which image do you prefer?

Aurora HDR single Image

Here is the original unedited RAW file for comparison.

single image Darlene

Single-Image HDR Effects

How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018

Full HDR from 3 bracketed exposures. Notice how much more tonal range is in this image than the one above.

Single Image HDR Photo – Example #2

This second example shows the single image HDR effect in an urban environment. Below is the starting RAW image before any post-processing was applied.

How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018

Original raw image.

The above image was opened in Aurora HDR and the Highlight and Shadow sliders were pulled to their extremes. Again, you don’t (and shouldn’t) keep the highlights and shadows sliders at their extremes, but this is just a visual demonstration of how dramatic of an effect they can have. It’s also a good idea to see how far you can go, then scale it back a bit in each direction.

Notice how the image has brightened up considerably and you can now see lots of detail in the buildings, especially the “Meet the Producer” sign.

How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018

Notice in the image above that there is a halo effect around much of the building. To fix that, simply adjust those highlight and shadow sliders to your liking. Also play around with the HDR Enhance slider, which will preserve image contrast and clarity without exacerbating the halo effect.

Next, the Whites and Smart Tone sliders were adjusted brighten the image further.

How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018

Below is the resulting single image with light Aurora HDR effects applied. For comparison, a 4-image bracketed HDR is also included below.

Aurora HDR single Image

Original again for comparison.

Aurora HDR single Image

HDR from a single image.

HDR from 4 bracketed images. The biggest difference here is a more seamless continuation of tones. You will get less haloing and less noise from this method than using a single image.

In Conclusion

There you have it – a quick tutorial on how you can create an HDR effect from a single image in Aurora HDR.

Have you experimented with making a single image look like an HDR shot? Please share your techniques and sample images in the comments below.

The post How to do Single Image HDR Effects with Aurora HDR 2018 by Suzi Pratt appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Twitter is using AI to intelligently crop image previews

26 Jan

Twitter added the ability to upload images back in 2011, and while many people take advantage of that feature, one of its big drawbacks is crappy cropping. As Twitter engineers explained in a recent post, the platform automatically crops image previews for the sake of consistency, but these crops usually focus on the center of the image… often at the expense of the photo’s subject.

A poorly cropped image may hide the most interesting aspect of the photo—instead presenting a glimpse of a wall, empty sky, or something else similarly boring. And that adorable photo of Fido is a lot less adorable when it’s cropped right through the center of his head.

According to Twitter engineers Zehan Wang and Lucas Theis, the company at one point used facial recognition to somewhat solve this issue. With that, the system would identify the most prominent face in an image and base the crop around it. The system wasn’t perfect, though, nor relevant to images without faces.

A better system, the researchers explain, is one that focuses on saliency—that is, on the parts of the image that are prominent and mostly likely to be noticed. In other words: the most ‘eye-catching’ part of the photo.

“In general, people tend to pay more attention to faces, text, animals, but also other objects and regions of high contrast,” the duo explain. While a neural network can be trained to identify the salient parts of an image, it presents its own issue: it is too slow to put into production.

However, the team found a solution to that problem—one that enables Twitter’s platform to immediately detect the most ‘eye-catching’ part of an image and then crop with that at its center. The end result are image previews more likely to contain interesting elements that, as demonstrated in the screenshots above.

Twitter began rolling out its improved image preview cropping earlier this week, which means all of those really pretty landscape photos and product shots that pop up on the DPReview Twitter should be cropped a lot better in short order.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Video: How to make an HDR image using Microsoft Excel… seriously

22 Jan

Photographers have many different kinds of software for producing high dynamic range images, but Microsoft Excel probably doesn’t make your list of photo editing apps. Well… be prepared to change your mind.

On the off chance you don’t know what Microsoft Excel is, it’s a spreadsheet application that’s primarily used for business application. But in May of last year, Columbia University computer science student Kevin Chen showed that is was also capable of producing an HDR photo using some complicated math and a couple dozen GBs of RAM.

Before coming to Columbia, Chen worked as an intern at Apple, working on camera technology. It was that experience—understanding the math behind digital photography in general and high dynamic range imagery specifically—that allowed him to implement the “system of linear equations” that is typically used in HDR imaging.

After turning the original photo grayscale, and using each cell in Excel as a different “pixel”, he was able to implement this math (and zoom way out) to reveal his final product. Here is the color before and grayscale after:

Sure, you probably don’t want to make Excel your primary HDR processing software. But Chen’s presentation reveals something that is easy to lose sight of when you’re processing digital files and working with photographs: as far as your computer is concerned, it’s all pixel values and math.

Check out the full presentation up top, and then head over to Chen’s website if you want to know more about the young computer scientist.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Tether Tools reveals it used an image without permission, issues public statement and apology

23 Dec

Tether Tools CEO Josh Simons has preemptively apologized for the company’s use of an image without the permission of the photographer who took it. In a letter published on December 14, Simons explained that an image used as a placeholder in concept mockups for the company’s redesigned website accidentally went live on the final site.

Explaining the process that led to this image’s accidental use, Simmons wrote in his letter:

One concept used behind-the-scenes candid images of photographers using Tether Tools’ gear. Behind the Scene Instagram images, similar to what you would see here @tethertools were added For Placement Only (FPO) during the design phase, to show an example of the type of photos that could be rotating regularly on an embedded Instagram API feed. This API mock-up, which included a customer’s Instagram BTS photo, was placed near the footer of one page in the proposed layout.

Over the course of time, through various layouts and edits the design was approved but embedding the Instagram API on this page was overlooked by the web design team. At launch the new website had close to 1,400 pages and finalizing this element on this page was missed. The use of the image was accidental and simply an oversight. The photo was never used in any other way, not in advertising campaigns or print materials, nor to promote any specific product.

Simons says Tether Tools was alerted to the image’s presence by a third-party, and that the company has since removed the image and contacted the photographer. The photographer, who is said to be a Tether Tools customer, has been compensated for the image’s use and was given an apology for the mistake.

In a statement to Fstoppers, Tether Tools said, “Both parties are satisfied and most of all we are gratified by the nature in which everything was handled.”

Via: Fstoppers

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Zoner Photo Studio X brings support for the HEIF image format to Windows

30 Nov

Apple introduced the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) image format with its latest iPhone models 8, 8 Plus and X. Essentially, the new format is more efficient than current standards at compressing image data—images with the same size and level of detail occupy up to 50% less space on your device storage or hard drive—while also offering additional features like the ability to store burst photos, focal stacks, and exposure stacks in a single file.

In the long term, HEIF is meant to replace JPG as a the most common image standard, but until now the format could only be viewed or edited on iOS 11 devices or an Apple Mac… not exactly universal. That all changes today with the latest release of Zoner Photo Studio.

Zoner Studio X is officially the first software package to bring HEIF support to the Windows platform. Its makers still call the feature “experimental” and recommend keeping a backup of your HEIF photos in a separate format (just in case), but this is a big deal if you’re an iPhone user who uses a PC instead of a Mac. No need to sacrifice image quality to save space or visa versa.

Zoner Studio X offers more than HEIF support, of course, and is a potent image editor in its own right. The feature set includes: image organization, layers, non-destructive RAW editing, retouching, and automatic adjustments.

To learn more or download a 30 day trial, visit the Zoner website. The full version will cost you $ 49.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Adobe’s Lightroom Downloader lets you rescue your image library from the cloud

17 Nov

Adobe has released Lightroom Downloader app, an application that pulls original image and video files from the cloud and stores them locally in a folder.

The Lightroom Downloader app is available for both Windows 10 and macOS High Sierra, and requires users to log in with their Lightroom account. Once the login is complete, users are prompted to choose a hard drive location to which the cloud content will be downloaded.

As Adobe explains on its help site, Lightroom Downloader pulls all of the cloud video and image files and parks them in a date-based folder in a user-specific hard drive location. Any edits made to these original, raw files will be written into XMP sidecar files alongside the raw files.

In instances where only a Smart Preview is cloud synced, Adobe says its app will download the DNG Smart Previews for those photos.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Panasonic G9 offers pro-level features, 20 fps bursts, huge EVF and class-leading image stabilization

08 Nov

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Panasonic’s new Lumix DC-G9 is the company’s first mirrorless camera aimed specifically at professional stills photographers. Geared for high-speed capture at up to 20fps, the G9 offers the same 20MP Four Thirds sensor as the video-centric GH5, but with tweaked image processing for better JPEG image quality. If 20 Megapixels isn’t enough for you, the G9 is able to shift its sensor (more on that below) eight times to create an 80MP Raw image with ultra-high resolution.

The G9’s image stabilization is as good as you’ll find on any interchangeable lens cameras, capable of reducing shake by up to 6.5 stops. Panasonic claims that this system still offers that level of stabilization at wider focal lengths when using non-stabilized lenses, and maintains it at longer focal lengths with those with built-in IS, where it can use ‘Dual I.S. 2.’

There’s a refined ‘Depth from Defocus’ AF system on the G9, which offers 225 selectable points and improvements in both speed and subject tracking. The camera is capable of shooting bursts at 20 fps with continuous autofocus using its electronic shutter (9 fps with mechanical) and 60 fps with single AF (12 fps with mechanical). The buffer allows for up to 50 Raw images to be captured in a single burst.

The G9 samples the full width of the sensor for all resolutions, which means no crop and higher quality.

The G9 has a sturdy metal body that’s sealed against the elements and freezeproof to -10C/+14F. Direct controls include a lockable mode dial with a sub-dial for drive mode, an AF-point selection joystick and function switch for quickly swapping settings, similar to what’s found on some Olympus cameras. The OLED electronic viewfinder is downright enormous, with a maximum magnification of 0.83x equivalent and a resolution of 3.68 million dots. A 3″ fully articulating touchscreen LCD is also available. The camera has two SD memory card slots, both of which support UHS-II media. Ports include HDMI, microphone, headphone, flash sync, USB 3.0 (Micro B) and wired remote.

On the video front, the G9 can capture UHD 4K video at up to 60 fps, with a maximum bitrate of 150Mbps. It samples the full width of the sensor for all resolutions, which means no crop and higher quality. You can shoot slo-mo video at up to 60 fps in 4K and 180 fps at Full HD. The G9 can use its video capabilities to capture both 6K and 4K stills.

The G9 is powered by the same DMW-BLF19 battery as the GH5 with a CIPA rating of up to 400 shots per charge. A ‘power save LVF’ mode puts the camera into sleep mode when the EVF is not in use, and the camera turns on instantly when the shutter release is half-pressed. This mode improves battery life by roughly 2.3x. An optional battery grip holds an additional DMW-BLF19, bringing the CIPA number up to 800 shots. The G9 can be charged over USB.

Lastly, connectivity. While most cameras are still using 802.11b/g/n, the G9 uses the modern 802.11ac standard. Using the Panasonic Image App you can remotely control the camera, automatically transfer photos and copy settings from one G9 to another. Bluetooth 4.2 LE maintains a constant connection between the camera and smartphone and a basic app can be used as a remote shutter release.

The DC-G9 will ship in January 2018 for $ 1699 body only. The DMW-BGG9 grip will arrive at the same time for $ 349.

Press Release

Panasonic LUMIX G9 – The Ultimate Photo Shooting Camera

Featuring High Picture Quality, an 80-megapixel High Resolution Mode and 6.5-stops of compensation with or without Dual I.S. 2.0 compatible LUMIX lenses

November 8, 2017 (Newark, NJ) – Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is proud to introduce a new flagship Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera, the LUMIX G9 that boasts outstanding mobility with ultra-high-speed response. Evolving from the GH5’s high performance, the LUMIX G9 achieves the highest-ever image quality in photo shooting by elevating resolution, gradation and color reproduction with its 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor without a low-pass filter. A High Resolution mode is also added that provides 80-megapixel equivalent images in JPEG /RAW formats produced in-camera.

The Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) in the LUMIX G9 is dramatically improved, making it possible to use 6.5 stops of compensation with or without Dual I.S.2.0 compatible Lumix lenses. This is achieved by a more accurate calculation of shake in various shooting conditions, utilizing information of angular velocity and motion vector acquired not only from the gyro sensor but also from the image sensor and accelerometer sensor.

The high-speed, high-precision AF with DFD technology achieves the world’s fastest*1AF speed of 0.04 sec*2. With its high tracking performance to the subject, the LUMIX G9 does not lose the target subject.

The LUMIX G9 also boasts the fastest-in-class*3 20 fps (AFC) / 60 fps (AFS) in 20.3-megapixel full resolution to capture those unmissable moments. Complying with 6K/4K PHOTO, users can choose the most suitable burst shooting mode in addition to the regular consecutive shooting mode and new Pre-burst shooting mode depending on the situation.?
The LUMIX G9 has the largest-in-class*1 LVF (Live View Finder) with a stunningly high magnification ratio of approx.1.66x / 0.83x (35mm camera equivalent). No blackouts occur even in high-speed burst shooting*4. Night mode and an AF Point Scope function is also integrated.

To withstand heavy field use, the LUMIX G9 is composed of a magnesium alloy full die-cast front / rear frame and is not only splash proof*5 and dustproof but also freeze proof down to -10 degrees centigrade. The largest-in-class Status LCD on the top of the camera makes shooting even easier and more comfortable. For the rear monitor, a 3.0-inch free-angle LCD in 3:2 aspect ratio with 1,040K-dot high resolution is equipped. The G9 has a double SD Memory Card slot, compatible with the high-speed, high-capacity UHS-II.

The LUMIX G9 includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi® connectivity to offer a more flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing with easy operation. Compatibility with Bluetooth 4.2 (called BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy) enables constant connection with a smartphone or tablet with minimum power consumption. For Wi-Fi, 5GHz (IEEE802.11ac) can be selected in addition to the conventional 2.4GHz (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) for an even more secure and stable connection.
*1 As a Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera, as of November 8, 2017
*2 In 1-Area AF, at wide-end with H-ES12060 (CIPA) in LVF120 fps setting.
*3 With H-ES12060, as a Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera, as of November 8, 2017
*4 In AFC 20 fps/ AFS 60 fps setting
*5 Splash Proof is a term used to describe an extra level of protection this camera offers against exposure to a minimal amount of moisture, water or dust. Splash Proof does not guarantee that damage will not occur if this camera is subjected to direct contact with water.

1. Highest picture quality in the history of LUMIX cameras
Evolving even further from the performance of the LUMIX GH5, the LUMIX G9 achieves the highest image quality in the history of all LUMIX G Digital Single Lens Mirrorless cameras. The 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor without low-pass filter drives the maximum performance of the lens and the Venus Engine 10 rendering high-precision yet natural images with its Multipixel Luminance Generation and Intelligent Detail Processing. An optimum gradation setting according to the characteristics of the sensor provides a wider dynamic range for smoother gradation. Plus, an AR coating on the sensor minimizes ghosts and flaring even in backlighting. A Tuned Three-dimensional Color Control detects not only hue and saturation but also brightness, and applies optimal control according to the value of each factor. This achieves rich color reproduction from dark to bright parts of the image, which especially improves the expression of skies or human skin. A Tuned High Precision Multi Process NR boasts high noise identification accuracy and preserves details even after the noise reduction process, which results in natural textures and precise detail especially in middle to high sensitivity image recording.

The new High Resolution mode produces an 80-megapixel equivalent (10368 x 7776) image by synthesizing 8 consecutively shot images while shifting the sensor. Not only JPEG but also RAW can be produced in the camera, without the need for software processing. This magnificently high resolution photo is ideal for landscape and product photography using a tripod.

2. Advanced Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) and Dual I.S.
To achieve stable handheld shooting even in slower shutter speed, the Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) in the LUMIX G9 is further advanced. Panasonic adopted a newly developed algorithm that precisely calculates shake information acquired not only from a gyro sensor, but also from the image sensor and accelerometer sensor. This enables more accurate shake detection and compensation, making it possible to use a 6.5-stop slower shutter speeds*1. Notably, movement with characteristically low-frequency is suppressed more effectively to use slower shutter speeds.. With its high mobility achieved by the compact, lightweight design and powerful Body I.S., this LUMIX G Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera makes previously impossible shooting, such as handheld 800mm (35mm camera equivalent) ultra-telephoto shooting possible.

Combining an this B.I.S.(Body Image Stabilizer, 5-axis) and O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer, 2-axis), the 5-axis Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer) 2*2 in the LUMIX G9 compensates for larger movements that were conventionally uncontrollable. Maximizing both O.I.S and B.I.S. is highly beneficial in telephoto shots and in adverse situations, such as at night or with one-handed shooting with a 6.5-stop slower shutter speed*3.

The 5-axis Dual I.S. 2.0 works for both photo and motion picture recording, including 4K video. Panasonic LUMIX G DSLM Cameras offer a wide variety of digital interchangeable lenses and most of them support the 5-axis Dual I.S. in the LUMIX G9. The B.I.S. compensates for camera movement even when a lens without O.I.S. (e.g. a cine lens) is used.
*1 Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=60mm (35mm film camera equivalent f=120mm), when H-ES12060 is used.
*2 5-Axis Dual I.S.2 can be used with the following lenses as of November 8, 2017: H-HSA12035, H-ES12060, H-FS14140, H-HSA35100, H-FSA45200, H-FSA100300, H-RS100400 and H-ES200. Firmware update is required for some lenses.
*3 Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=140mm (35mm camera equivalent f=280mm), when H-FS14140 is used

3. Outstanding tracking performance and high-speed, high-precision AF
The DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology*1 calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels while instantly consulting the optical characteristics data of the current lens. Panasonic’s combination of the Contrast AF with DFD technology was further advanced in the LUMIX G9 together with the speed of the sensor drive during auto focusing in photo shooting, which achieves 480 fps. Consequently, the LUMIX G9 realizes an ultra-high-speed AF of approximately 0.04 sec*2 and 60 (AFS) / 20(AFC) fps high-speed burst shooting using an electronic shutter at full resolution.

Thanks to the high processing performance of the Venus Engine 10, the LUMIX G9 incorporates Deep Learning technology that detects a human body in addition to the conventional face and eye detection. The AF Point Scope function is also new on the LUMIX G9. It magnifies subjects that are far away to capture them in clear focus.

For more precise focusing, the focus areas are increased from 49 to 225-areas in addition to the conventional Face/Eye Recognition, Tracking AF, 1-area AF and Pinpoint AF. Users can make a group of 225 focus areas and move or change the size of it as they like according to the composition. All focusing operations are easily controlled with the newly adopted joystick located on the thumb position without taking the eyes off of the subject even when using an LVF or releasing the finger from the shutter button. The LUMIX G9 is equipped with AF Custom Settings with which users can set AF Sensitivity, AF Area Switching Sensitivity and Moving Object Prediction Level. Four patterns of presets are also available for frequently used situations.
*1 Contrast AF with DFD Technology works only with Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lenses.
*2 In 1-Area AF, at wide-end with H-ES12060 (CIPA) in LVF120 fps setting.

4. High mobility for agile field shooting
The LUMIX G9 boasts outstanding performance to achieve the fastest-in-class*1 20 fps (AFC) / 60 fps (AFS) at 20.3-megapixel full resolution. Taking advantage of its blackout-free LVF (Live View Finder), it is the best mirrorless camera for capturing moving subjects in sharp focus. With its high tracking performance to the subject, the LUMIX G9 doesn’t loses the target subject. Pre-burst shooting is also new on LUMIX G9, which starts shooting 0.4 sec in advance to releasing the shutter.?

For more continuous burst shooting, the 6K PHOTO*2 makes it possible to capture the unmissable moments at 30 fps by extracting the frame with the best timing out of a 6K burst file (in 4:3 or 3:2 aspect) to save as an approx.18-megapixel equivalent high resolution photo. The 4K PHOTO is also upgraded to enable 60 fps high-speed capture in approx.8-megapixel equivalent resolution. In 6K PHOTO /4K PHOTO, three exclusive modes can be chosen from depending on the situation; 6K Burst / 4K Burst, 6K Burst (Start/Stop) / 4K Burst (Start/Stop) and 6K Pre-burst / 4K Pre-burst. Users can choose the most suitable burst shooting mode in addition to the regular consecutive shooting mode in full resolution depending on the situation.

The new High Sensitivity MOS Sensor helps to suppress the rolling shutter effect. Plus, the Venus Engine 10 makes it possible to apply Post Recording Refinement over the pictures to correct distortion and reduce noise when playing back or cutting images out of the 6K burst file / 4K burst file by compensating the signal information between the consecutive frames. As a result, the picture quality of 6K PHOTO /4K PHOTO shot at high shutter speed in high sensitivity or those shot when panning are dramatically improved.
*1 ‘As a Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera, as of November 8, 2017.
*2 ‘6K PHOTO’ is a high speed burst shooting function that cuts a still image out of a 4:3 or 3:2 video footage with approx.18-megapixel (approx. 6000 x 3000 effective pixel count) that the 6K image manages.

5. Innovative LVF (Live View Finder) with high magnification ratio and excellent performance
The LVF (Live View Finder) is the key factor for completing the ultra-high-speed response of the camera. The LUMIX G9 has the largest-in-class LVF with a stunningly high magnification ratio of approx.1.66x / 0.83x (35mm camera equivalent). The magnification ratio can be switched among 0.7x, 0.77x and 0.83x according to the shooting situation. High-precision, high-speed OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display features 3,680K-dot high resolution and 100% field of view. Adoption of OLED for the LVF achieves smooth display at 120 fps and high speed response with minimum time lag of less than 0.005 sec as well as 10,000:1 high contrast for exceptional visibility. No blackout occurs even in high speed burst shooting, so as not to lose sight of the subject. With an eye point of approximately 21 mm, it offers high visibility with comfort for users wearing glasses. It is always sharp and clear from the center all the way to the corners. The LUMIX G9 incorporates Night mode which provides mild backlighting. It lets the user watch the subject comfortably immediately after viewing the monitor while in a dark situation for a long period of time.

6. Optimal design for Intuitive control and operation
The LUMIX G9 includes a largest-in-class Status LCD on the top, allowing users to check the settings at a glance.

The Fn lever makes it possible to change the setting quickly once frequently-used settings are assigned. The LUMIX G9 also comes with a joystick at the optimal position to achieve intuitive focus area control without taking the eyes off of the viewfinder, together with a focus lever and AF mode button. Dials on the grip and Fn buttons are also located in the best position to operate unseen.

7. High mobility and rugged design for heavy field use
To be tough enough to withstand even heavy field use, the main structure is composed of a magnesium alloy full die-cast front/rear frame. Secure construction and a sealing for every joint, dial, and button make the LUMIX G9 not only splash proof and dustproof but also freeze proof down to 14°F (-10 degrees Celsius).

The LUMIX G9 is equipped with a double SD Memory Card slot compatible with high-speed, high capacity UHS-II. Users can flexibly choose the recording method from Relay Recording, Backup Recording or Allocation Recording. In Relay Recording, the data will be written on the SD Memory Card in the second slot when the SD Memory Card in the first slot is full. The content will be written in both SD Memory Cards in the first and second slot simultaneously in Backup Recording. In Allocation Recording, data is automatically allocated to the SD Memory Card in the designated slot by the type of content – RAW, JPEG, 6K PHOTO / 4K PHOTO, or 4K video data. For example, users can store only photos on the SD Memory Card in slot 1 and videos in slot 2. Moreover, both slots are equipped with access lamps so users can tell which SD Memory Card is under writing and which can be ejected at a glance.
The LUMIX G9 enables not only power charging but also power feeding via USB, which enhances extended shooting time.

8. Other Features
?3.0″1040k-dot Free-angle Monitor
Adopting a static-type touch control system, the 3.0-inch free-angle rear monitor in 3:2 aspect with 1,040K-dot high resolution features approx.100% field of view. It uses a pixel structure of RGB (Red / Green / Blue) and White to feature even higher visibility in sunny outdoor scenes. It tilts up and down by approx.270-degree which makes shooting at either high or low angles even easier. Night mode can also be applied to the display on the rear monitor.
?Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 5GHz (IEEE802.11ac) / 2.4GHz (IEEE802.11b/g/n)
The LUMIX G9 integrates Bluetooth and Wi-Fi® connectivity to offer a more flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing with easy operation. Once the camera is connected to a smartphone or tablet installed with Panasonic’s dedicated application software Image App for iOS / Android, users can shoot, browse and share images remotely. Compatibility with Bluetooth 4.2 (called BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy) enables constant connection with a smartphone/tablet with minimum power consumption. This enables the camera to activate by simply using a smartphone/tablet or to add GPS geotag on the photos automatically. Furthermore, the settings of a LUMIX G9 camera can also be copied and transmitted wirelessly to other G9 cameras when using multiple G9 cameras.

For the Wi-Fi, 5GHz (IEEE802.11ac) is effective in addition to the conventional 2.4GHz (IEEE802.11b/g/n. This provides even secure and stable connection not only with a smartphone/tablet but also with other devices on location for smooth remote control. Transmission speed of photo/video data is also increased up by using the 5GHz-band*.
* 5 GHz Wi-Fi is not available in some countries.

9. Optional Accessories Specially Designed for LUMIX G9
?Battery Grip DMW-BGG9
The LUMIX G9 is compatible with the new Battery Grip DMW-BGG9. By using two batteries, one in the camera and the other in the grip, the DMW-BGG9 extends the battery life for longer shooting time. It also makes handling more comfortable even in vertical angle shooting. The DMW-BGG9 also provides intuitive operation with a joystick. Exclusively designed for the LUMIX G9, the DMW-BGG9 perfectly matches the camera, boasting a rugged, splash proof, dustproof and freeze proof design.
-Eye Cup DMW-EC4
The Eye Cup DMW-EC4 makes it even more comfortable to see the high-performance LVF of the G9.
-Battery Charger DMW-BTC13
The Battery Charger DMW-BTC13 enables quick charging of the Battery Pack DMW-BLF19 from an AC outlet using the bundled AC adopter.
-Shoulder Strap DMW-SSTG9
The Shoulder Strap DMW-SSTG9 is a length-adjustable shoulder strap. The camera can be detached or replaced quickly to prepare for the next photo opportunity in various shooting situations.

The new G9 and all accessories will be available in early January 2018. The G9 (body only) MSRP will be $ 1699.99 and the Battery Grip $ 349.99.

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 specifications

Price
MSRP $ 1699 (body only)
Body type
Body type SLR-like (bridge)
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution 5184 x 3888
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 22 megapixels
Sensor size Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 200-25600 (expands to 100-25600)
Boosted ISO (minimum) 100
White balance presets 5
Custom white balance Yes (4 slots)
Image stabilization Sensor-shift
CIPA image stabilization rating 6.5 stop(s)
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, standard
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.31)
  • Raw (Panasonic 12-bit RW2)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Digital zoom Yes (2x-4x)
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 225
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds
Focal length multiplier 2×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fully articulated
Screen size 3
Screen dots 1,040,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100%
Viewfinder magnification 1.66× (0.83× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution 3,680,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 60 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) 1/32000 sec
Exposure modes
  • iAuto
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
Built-in flash No
External flash Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Flash X sync speed 1/250 sec
Drive modes
  • Single
  • Continuous I/II
  • 6K Photo
  • Post Focus
  • Self-timer
  • TIme-lapse
Continuous drive 20.0 fps
Self-timer Yes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing Yes
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Modes
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Connectivity
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
USB charging Yes
HDMI Yes
Microphone port Yes
Headphone port Yes
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11ac + Bluetooth
Remote control Yes (wired or via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed Yes
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description DMW-BTC13 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400
Weight (inc. batteries) 658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Dimensions 137 x 97 x 92 mm (5.39 x 3.82 x 3.62)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony to shift focus as demand for automotive image sensors increases

26 Oct

Sony is the largest supplier or CMOS image sensors worldwide, with about half of its production capacity reserved for mobile device image sensors. However, according to a DigiTimes report, the company is now looking to expand its position in the market for automotive image sensors, where rivals On Semiconductor and OmniVision are currently the largest players.

As a consequence Sony is planning to allocate a larger portion of its sensor production capacity for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and other automotive electronics applications.

Self-driving vehicles have been identified by sensor suppliers as a major growth area that will generate elevated demand for image sensors in the near future. According to DigiTimes sources, automotive is expected to overtake mobile devices as the leading application for CMOS sensors and will be first among all auto electronics segments, with major growth kicking in during 2018.

According to Digitimes, increasing demand for CMOS sensors through high-end smartphone and automotive applications could be bad news for consumers as the average unit price of CMOS sensors is expected to rise. The global market volume for CMOS sensors is forecast to increase to nearly US$ 13.8 billion in 2020, up from US$ 11.2 billion in 2017.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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