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Don’t have an iPhone 7 Plus? Us either … but, we know someone who does!
We got our friend Danny to snap a few pics and show us the magic that is a double lensed camera. *swoon*
Come along and check out that mega zoom, portrait mode and more.
(…)
Read the rest of iPhone 7 Plus Camera Test (571 words)
© laurel for Photojojo, 2016. |
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With our iPhone 7 Plus review underway, we’ve started off by putting together an initial gallery of real-world samples testing its performance in various light conditions. The 7 Plus is the first Apple device equipped with dual camera modules, so we’ve taken a look at wide and telephoto performance in addition to the camera’s Portrait mode, which simulates shallow depth of field.
iPhone 7 Plus real-world sample gallery
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
When the most popular camera in the world gets a major update, it’s a newsworthy event all around. We’ve put the 12MP iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus cameras in front of our studio test scene to see what they (and their new Raw capture abilities) can do.
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The iPhone 7 Plus includes both wide-angle and telephoto lenses. However, because the telephoto lens is 1.3EV slower, the phone will sometimes use a digitally zoomed shot from its brighter wide-angle lens in low light when in ‘telephoto’ mode.
For this reason we’ve focused on getting the Raw images for the iPhone 7 Plus, to ensure we’re seeing the results from telephoto lens/sensor. It’s reasonable to assume that the wide-angle JPEGs will look the same as those from the iPhone 7.
Please also note that the 7 Plus has also used a much faster shutter speed for its low light telephoto shot, presumably to avoid camera shake on the unstabilized telephoto lens/camera.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus don’t exactly break new ground for mobile photography. As has been the case in the past, Apple has embraced emerging technology that other manufacturers already offer in their devices. But when the most popular camera in the world gets a major update, it’s a newsworthy event all around. We’ve put the 12MP iPhone 7 and its bigger dual-cam sibling in front of our studio test scene to see what they (and their Raw capture abilities) can do.
See the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in our studio test scene
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi has launched two new high-end devices today, which in terms of specification and product naming, are squarely aimed at Apple’s recently launched iPhone 7 models.
The Mi 5s is the smaller of the two new devices, featuring a 5.15″ force-sensitive 1080p display and a 3,200 mAh battery in a fully metallic body. The camera specification can compete with some of the current best Android smartphones. Sony’s 1/2.3-inch IMX378 CMOS sensor offers the same large 1.55um pixel pitch as the predecessor IMX 377 that is used in the Google Nexus 6P or HTC 10. It comes with on-sensor phase-detection and is combined with an F2.0 aperture, a dual-tone LED flash, auto HDR and 4K video recording at 30 fps. The front camera is less exciting, offering a 4-megapixel sensor with F2.0 aperture and an 80-degree wide-angle lens. Xiaomi has published a sample gallery on its website.
The Android OS is powered by Qualcomm’s latest top-end Snapdragon 821 chipset, up to 4GB of RAM and 128G internal storage. Another highlight is the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that is located underneath the front glass. The ultrasonic technology eliminates the need for cutting a hole into the glass and, according to Xiaomi, works better with dirty fingers than capacitive versions. In China the Mi 5s can pre-ordered on September 29th for approximately $ 300 for the base model with 64GB storage and 3GB RAM. The high-end version with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage will set you back $ 345.
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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
Last week Apple announced its new iPhone 7 models, including the dual-cam equipped iPhone 7 Plus that combines a 28mm wide angle lens with a 56mm ‘tele’ variant. In the camera app this setup allows you to zoom optically and create a simulated shallow depth-of-field.
At the launch event Apple showed off some sample images but now it has, as it usually does, given the device to a couple of sports photographers to demonstrate what the camera can do in the capable hands of professionals. ESPN photographer Landon Nordeman used the iPhone 7 Plus to shoot at the US Open in New York City.
As you can see below, some of the samples look pretty impressive, although none of them appear to make specific use of the shallow depth-of-field simulation feature. More samples from the Open are available on ESPN.com, and you can see more from Sports Illustrated photographer David E. Klutho’s coverage of an NFL game.
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
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| Photo by Landon Nordeman for ESPN |
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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According to a report by Ming-Chi Kuo of analyst firm KGI that was obtained by MacRumors, the iPhone 7 Plus dual-camera is equipped with optical image stabilization in the 28mm equiv. wide-angle lens, but not in its longer 56mm equiv. lens. In the report, KGI claims that optical image stabilization will likely make it into the tele lens with the next upgrade of the device in 2017 via a ‘voice coil motor’ upgrade:
“Note that for the dual-camera of iPhone 7 Plus, wide-angle CCM is equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) VCM, while telephoto CCM only comes with general VCM. We believe the focus of the dual-camera upgrade will be equipping telephoto CCM with OIS CCM, so as to significantly enhance optical and digital zoom quality.”
In the same report KGI predicts that for the foreseeable future the dual-camera feature will remain exclusive to the larger iPhone Plus model which is expected to represent 30-40% of all iPhone sales.
Apple limiting certain camera features to the larger model is not without precedent. In the iPhone 6 and 6s generations only the Plus devices were equipped with optical image stabilization. With the 7th generation this has now trickled down to the standard model and we would expect the same thing to happen with the dual-camera at some point in the future.
During the launch presentation Apple did not mention a lack of OIS in the tele lens. In practical terms this would mean that, when shooting with the tele module, the camera has to use higher ISO values in lower light to avoid camera shake. That said, we’ll have to wait for a review model to find what this means for image quality.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Apple has today unveiled the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. As with previous generations, the main differences between the two models are screen size and the camera. The 4.7″ 1334 x 750 pixel Retina display in the iPhone 7 is 25% brighter than before and offers a wider color gamut. As before, it supports 3D touch. The iPhone 7 Plus screen offers the same characteristics but is 5.5″ large and comes with a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
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Like its predecessor, the iPhone 7 comes with a 12MP camera. However, the new model features optical image stabilization and sensor readout is 60% faster than before. At F1.8 the aperture of the six-element lens is wider and the new true-tone flash comes with 4 LEDs for more power output and better color balance. There is also a new flicker-sensor that can detect flickering in ambient light and correct for it at image capture.
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Apple claims the new in-house designed ISP is faster than before and can complete tasks, such as noise reduction, image stacking and exposure control in approximately 25ms. The moving Live Photos are now captured using video image stabilization and the 7th iPhone generation is the first capable of saving Raw data in DNG format. There is also 4K video and both 1080p and 720p slow-motion modes. At the front the pixel count has been increased from 5 to 7MP.
The larger iPhone 7 Plus model’s camera comes with all the iPhone 7 features but adds a second camera module. Next to the standard 28mm module is a 56mm tele-lens with its own 12MP sensor, and this dual cam implementation is predominantly used for zooming. In the camera app you can tap a zoom button to change to the 2x lens, and drag it all the way up to a 10x magnification. After 2x magnification the zoom applies digital magnification, but given the ‘base image’ captured by the tele-lens uses a longer focal length than other smartphone cameras, the quality of digitally zoomed images should be better than normal.
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The camera’s second headline feature is a shallow-depth-of-field simulation as we’ve seen it on several other devices before. The mode is automatically activated in the Portrait scene mode. ‘Depth Mode’ will be provided via a software update later this year, so we’ll have to wait a little while to find out if it performs better than the systems we’ve seen so far.
The home button has been improved and provides haptic feedback for notifications and other events. Additionally, the iPhone 7 models are the first ones to come with stereo speakers which provide twice the volume and a higher dynamic range than the previous generation. The devices are powered by Apple’s new A10 Fusion 64-bit four-core chipset, of which Apple says it is 40% faster than the previous A9 chip. Thanks to a new GPU graphics power has been increased by 50% as well.
In terms of design, the new models come with a similar basic shape to the previous generation but the antennae are now embedded in the enclosure and therefore almost invisible. The new models are also available in a new high-gloss finish which goes through an anodization process for protection. The body is water and dust resistant in line with the IP67 standard and will be available in jet-black, black (blasted aluminum), gold, silver or rose gold. There will be 32, 128 and 256GB storage options for both new models and pre-ordering starts on September 9. Start of shipping is scheduled for September 16.
The iPhone 7 starts at $ 649 for the 32GB version, for the Plus model you’ll have to invest at least $ 769.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Just a quick note to let you know that tickets have just gone on sale for the Gulf Photo Plus PopUP event in Berlin for the weekend of October 29-30.
If you are unfamiliar with GPP’s PopUP, it is a road version/distillation of their world-famous Photo Week in Dubai. Each year, it is held in a far-flung city somewhere in the world that is not Dubai. It is done over a weekend, so as to be able to be fit in with many peoples’ work schedules.
The faculty sometimes varies, but this year it is the core group: Greg Heisler, Joe McNally, Zack Arias and me. The weekend will feature a half-day with each person. Basically, like being in front of a fire hose.
This is the fourth PopUP GPP has held. I have been involved in three of them, and they are one of the most enjoyable photo events I can think of. If Berlin is reachable for you and you are available for a weekend this fall, I strongly encourage you to attend.
(And as an FYI, Berlin has a large and thriving photo community, so this is expected to sell out quickly.)
For more info, and/or to register, head over to the Gulf Photo Plus PopUP site.
Cheers,
David
Strobist
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Lighting manufacturer Elinchrom has introduced a version of its high speed sync Skyport remote flash trigger and controller that is compatible with Sony cameras. The new Skyport Plus HS transmitter allows Sony camera users to synchronize their shutter with Elinchrom flash heads using speeds of up to 1/8000sec. The system has been in use for some time for Canon and Nikon users, but now Elinchrom has added Sony to the list of camera brands with which the transmitter works.
Elinchrom’s high speed sync system is called Hi-Sync and varies from hotshoe style flash units in the way it produces light for short shutter speeds. While HSS modes in speedlights tend to use pulsing flash that gradually covers the camera sensor as the shutter slit passes by, Hi-Sync just uses a relatively long-duration burst. The company has introduced a system it calls OverDrive Sync that allows the user to calibrate the timing of the burst to the opening and closing of the individual camera’s shutter to ensure the two events coincide. This ODS system also allows a certain degree of exposure manipulation as photographers can tailor their shutter to different segments of the flash output curve.
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The Skyport Plus HS 2.4GHz radio transmitter has a range of 200m/656ft when used without obstruction between the camera and the head, and 60m/196ft when used indoors. It system offers 20 channels for normal shooting and 20 more for high speed shooting, which can be arranged in 4 groups, and an AF illuminator to assist in low light conditions.
The Elinchrom Skyport Plus HS costs $ 249.95 USD / €249 EUR / £199 GBP.
For more information see the Elinchrom website.
Sony camera compatibility
| A7 | A7 ll | A7r | A7r ll | A7s |
| A7s ll | A33 | A37 | A55 | A57 |
| A77 | A77 ll | A99 | A100 | A230 |
| A290 | A330 | A350 | A380 | A390 |
| A450 | A500 | A550 | A560 | A580 |
| A700 | A850 | A6000 | RX1 | NEX-7K |
Press release:
Since the launch of the Skyport Plus HS for Canon and Nikon, Sony users have been patiently awaiting their dedicated Transmitter. As promised, the most advanced Skyport ever is now available to Sony users. This will give them the ability to control and visualize power settings for all their compatible Elinchrom lights and the capability to shoot at speeds up to 1/8000s in Hi-Sync mode.
Visual Feedback Interface
The Large LCD display of the Skyport HS features two-way control via a visual feedback interface that lets you see the exact power up to 10 compatible Elinchrom lights in your setup right on the transmitter.
Users can control the modelling lamp and power of each flash unit directly from the Skyport transmitter, which instantly shows the updated settings.
This provides unsurpassed levels of “two-way communication and control” for every light in your setup, right from your camera.
Hi-Sync opens up the world of flash photography
Elinchrom Hi-Sync technology lets you go beyond the X-Sync of your camera. Photographers can simply switch to Hi-Sync mode and access sync speeds up to 1/8000s to freeze motion, overpower the sun, darken backgrounds or use a wider aperture. The ODS (Over Drive Sync) enables users to fine tune the Skyport Plus HS transmitter’s trigger signal to optimize exposure at high shutter speeds while gaining up to 2 more f-stops of light.
Even more
The Skyport HS has 20 frequency channels that can be used for either Normal or Speed mode. The transmitter attaches easily and securely to the hotshoe with its one-touch quick-lock mechanism, and is powered by 2x AA batteries. Users can also enjoy a range of up to 656ft (200m) outdoors, and up to 196ft (60m) indoors.
The Skyport HS continues the Elinchrom commitment to quality
Providing photographers with tools to enhance their shooting experience whilst also showing how Elinchrom is looking firmly ahead to the future. The Skyport HS represents a seamless extension of the EL-Skyport family since it is also compatible with the three previous generations of Elinchrom flash units (those using the EL-Skyport Transceiver RX module for Style RX, Digital RX, and Ranger RX systems, and those with integrated EL-Skyport modules for the BRX, D-Lite RX, ELC Pro HD, and ELB series.)
Other camera systems are currently being evaluated for future release.
EL-Skyport Plus HS Features
* Large LCD with unique, real-time display of remote flash power settings
* Easy access buttons and rotation ring for fast setup and control
* 20 Channels, 4 Groups for Normal and Speed Sync Modes
* Hi-Sync, up to 1/8000sec with Sony, Canon and Nikon cameras
* Extended working range up to 656ft (200m)
* AF Illuminator and sure-lock mounting foot
* USB port for future-proof upgrades
The EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus HS is now available for Sony, Canon and Nikon cameras.
EL19371 – EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus HS for Sony
EL19366 – EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus HS for Canon
EL19367 – EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus HS for Nikon
Street Price: $ 249.95 USD / €249 EUR / £199 GBP
Specifications
Frequency Band : 2.4 GHz
Channels : 40; (20 in Normal mode – green / 20 in Speed mode – red)
Groups : 4: 1, 2, 3, 4
Flash synchronization :
Normal: limited to the native X-sync of your camera
Hi-Sync mode: up to a 1/8000 sec.*
2nd curtain sync: only Canon
Range : Up to 200m (656’) for triggering
AF Assist Beam : Yes
Connection :
Foot for Sony hotshoe (19371) Canon hotshoe (19366) and Nikon hotshoe (19367)
Mini-USB for firmware updates
2.5 mm remote release
Power source : 2x AA batteries
Indicators and Controls :
LCD screen display:
Sync mode, group, channel, ODS activation, Hi-Sync activation, shutter mode, remaining battery power, flash unit name, flash unit ID, flash unit power level, flash unit modelling level.
Buttons:
Group selection, test, rotation ring to change values, confirmation, on/off and refresh.
There are also 4 buttons with variable functionality:
Power +/-, Modelling lamp off/prop/free, Individual unit selection and setup on the dashboard. Menu up, menu down and exit in the setup menu.
Dimensions : 84.1 x 68.3 x 58.5 mm (3.3 x 2.7 x 2.3”)
Weight : 120 g ( 0.27 lbs.) without batteries
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
