Sony has announced the DT 55-300mm F4.5-5.6 SAM, a budget telephoto zoom designed to complement the 18-55mm ‘kit’ lens. It’s optimized for Sony’s APS-C Alpha SLTs and DSLRs, and features the company’s Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) for fast, quiet focussing. Billed as an ideal lens for capturing stills and video of distant subjects, it features an ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) element, which should reduce aberrations and increase sharpness. It will be available in September for around $ 300.
Metabones has announced an updated version of its Canon EF adapter for Sony NEX E-mount. The second version of the Smart Adapter will feature a screw-on Arca Swiss-style tripod mount, improved anti-reflection shieding and a mode that releases the aperture and stops image stabilization to reduce battery consumption. As with the original version, the Second Edition Smart Adapter offers aperture control, image stabilization and EXIF reporting compatibility with most EF and EF-S lenses. It will be available from August 2012 at the same $ 400 list price as the existing version.
Korean accessory maker Gariz has introduced a leather half-case for the Sony RX100. Setting it apart from the other examples on the market is its metal base plate. This not only allows the attachment of the company’s ‘Gun Shot’ strap system but also repositions the tripod mount into line with the lens’s optical axis. The cases can be bought directly from the company, though it’s not clear what additional shipping costs will add to the Korean price of 76,000 Won (around $ 67). (From DCWatch)
Just Posted: Sony Cyber-shot HX20V review. We’ve collaborated with Jeff Keller of the Digital Camera Resource Page to bring you a 10-page review of Sony’s latest travel-zoom compact camera, the 18MP HX20V. The new model boasts 18MP resolution, a 20X optical zoom lens and built-in GPS. So how does it perform overall? Read our 10-page review to find out.
The 2013 Sony World Photography Awards are now open for entries, and include categories for 3D and filmmakers. The competition has categories for both amateur and professional photographers and prizes that include both cash and Sony photographic equipment. Submissions must be received before January 4th 2013, with the professional category closing on January 9th. The student competition provides the chance to win 40,000 worth of Sony equipment for the winner’s university.
Just posted: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V in-depth review. The second review expanded from Jeff Keller’s work at the Digital Camera Resource Page looks at Sony’s latest full-size superzoom camera. The Sony HX200V combines the company’s latest 18MP back-lit CMOS sensor with a 30x zoom lens giving a 27-810mm equivalent range. There’s image stabilization, as you’d expect for such a long zoom range and, as indicated by the ‘V’ in the model name, it also has built-in GPS. So does this add up to a perfect vacation camera or an unwieldy confection? Read the full review to find out.
Sony Japan has released firmware v1.05 for the SLT-A77 and A65 high-end fixed-mirror DSLRs. The latest changes promise a series of improvements, including more responsive control dials, faster post-shot review images and shorter lag when turning the camera off. The A77’s AF accuracy in bright light is also improved. The updates also include correction profiles for more lenses. The firmware has not yet been posted by Sony’s European or North American websites but should be available soon.
Sony has added depth to its T-series range of slim cameras with the skinny DSC-T66 and svelte-yet-rugged DSC-TX20. It has also added the 10x zoom DSC-WX150 to the top of its conventionally-shaped compact camera lineup – claiming it to be the slimmest 10x camera currently available. The 5x zoom T66 and the WX150 are both based around the company’s latest 18MP CMOS sensor, helping them offer high-speed autofocus. The T66 has an OLED touch-screen while the waterproof, 16MP T20 instead uses a LCD touch-panel. Finally there’s a DSC-W690, a 16MP CCD camera based around the same 10x, 25-250mm equivalent lens as the WX150.
Sony has launched four GPS-enabled 18MP CMOS zoom compacts, ranging from the 16x DSC-HX10V all the way up to the 30x DSC-HX200V. The DSS-HX20V adds a 20x zoom to the 10V’s specs and the HX30V gains WiFi on top of that. All four CMOS cameras offer nine creative processing filters and latest fast AF which the company says will focus in as little as 0.1sec and 0.2sec in low light, they also have high-res 920,000 dot LCDs. There’s also a less-expensive 16MP CCD 16X zoom model, the DSC-H90. All of the cameras feature at least 27mm equivalent wide-angle lenses.
Gary Fong, a professional photographer for 20 years, and inventor of the Lightsphere Flash Diffuser, explains how to take your camera off of fully automatic, while keeping safety and creativity to a maximum by adjusting the camera settings. These settings greatly increase consistently correct images, yet give the photographer the ability to have creative control over contrast, ambient light during flash, and more selective focus when outdoors. Intended for photographers from beginning to advanced event photographers. To see my light modifiers, please visit my website at www.garyfong.com
Video Rating: 5 / 5