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Posts Tagged ‘Sony’

Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS sample gallery

17 Jan

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Sony hosted us for a few days in Hawaii to shoot with the company’s newest E-mount lens, the 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS. It’s been more than four years since Sony introduced an E-mount APS-C lens, emphasizing that its design maximizes corner-to-corner sharpness. We put it to work capturing Honolulu’s vibrant Chinatown and the spectacular landscapes that the Aloha State is known for.

See our Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony a9 firmware 2.00 brings improvements to continuous AF and more

12 Jan

Sony has released firmware version 2.00 for its flagship a9 mirrorless camera. The most notable improvements are to continuous AF, with the company claiming enhanced performance while tracking as well as more stability when zooming.

Speaking of stability, the firmware should bring general bug fixes and reliability enhancements, and the overheating warning function is more accurate, according to Sony.

There are also a number of improvements related to metadata which you can find in the press release below. The firmware update is now available for download.

Press Release

Firmware version 2.00 provides the following benefits:

Continuous AF Enhancements:

  • Enhanced performance of continuous auto focus on moving subjects
  • Enhanced stability of the AF-C when zooming

Added Functions:

  • Adds the function to assign Protecting images to custom Key
  • Adds the function to transfer (FTP) protected files at once
    Note: Only for images protected using version 2.00 or higher.
  • Displays wired LAN MAC address
  • Inputs IPTC metadata to files
    Note: IPTC information must be created beforehand using the IPTC Metadata Preset software.
  • Inputs camera serial number to metadata

Other Improvements:

  • Improves operational stability
  • Improves accuracy of the overheating warning function

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S vs Sony a7S II low light shootout

11 Jan

We shot the Panasonic GH5S against the Sony a7S II to see whether the video-centric Lumix can wrest the low-light crown away from its full frame rival. We’ll let you draw your own conclusions, but our initial assessment is that the Panasonic comes closer than we expected, and outperforms the Sony when you need to maintain a certain depth-of-field or when you shoot in Log.

Click here to download a ProRes version of the video (8.0GB)

Notes:

We shot both cameras side-by-side, which explains the slight perspective difference. The GH5S’s oversized ‘multi aspect’ ratio sensor means it also offers a wider field of view even when using equivalent focal lengths.

We shot at a range of ISOs in both the camera’s REC709 modes and their respective Log gamma modes, then matched the footage up alongside one another. We’ve kept all post-processing to a minimum, with only very minor color and brightness adjustments applied to provide consistency between the two cameras.

We felt Panasonic’s noise reduction is significantly more effective than Sony’s

Most sequences were shot so that both cameras had the same exposure settings. These are marked as ‘Exposure Matched’ in the video. However, there are times when you need to achieve a certain depth-of-field. These clips, which required us to stop the Sony down by two stops, are indicated as ‘Depth-of-Field Matched.’

We felt Panasonic’s noise reduction is significantly more effective than Sony’s and, especially when combined with its ability to shoot 10-bit 4:2:2 footage, helps it perform well when compared with the Sony, especially below ISO 12,800 and when shooting in Log. However, it’s also worth noting the yellow blocking that can infest high ISO footage from the GH5S.

For a more detailed assessment, head to our first impressions review.

Read our Panasonic Lumix DC GH5S
First Impressions Review

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony Xperia XA2 and XA 2 Ultra put high-end camera tech in mid-range phones

10 Jan

Most mobile manufacturers tend to unveil new flagship smartphones at or around MWC in February or IFA in September, but occasionally interesting mid-rangers pop up at CES as well. That’s the case with the Sony Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra devices, which were just launched this morning at the Las Vegas show.

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 630 chipset and sporting 1080p Full-HD displays, the new devices fit squarely in the mid-range bracket of the market, and yet they boast a lot of camera technology from the Japanese manufacturer’s high-end Xperia XZ flagship models, making them an appealing option for mobile photographers who can do without the most powerful processor or highest screen resolution.

Both models feature 1/2.3-inch 23MP Exmor RS sensors in the rear camera. The imager chip is coupled with an F2.0 aperture and the camera offers a 24mm equivalent focal length, phase detection autofocus, LED flash and 4K video recording. There’s also a 120 fps slow-motion mode; however, XA2 users will have to make do without the XZ models’ unique 1000 fps ultra-slow-motion feature. In typical Sony fashion, optical image stabilization has been omitted as well.

While the main cameras are identical on the standard XA2 and the Ultra model, there is a difference at the front. The XA2 features an 8MP camera with a 120° field of view, while the Ultra model features an additional stabilized 16MP camera with a 80° field of view, allowing users to easily switch between solo and group selfies. Other differences between the two models are pretty much limited to screen size (5.3-inch on the XA2 vs 6-inch on the Ultra) and battery (3200 mAh on the XA2 vs 3500 mAh on the Ultra).

The XA2 models will be available from February, and will retail at 350 Euros (~$ 420 USD) for the standard XA2 and 450 Euros (~$ 535 USD) for the Ultra—no word yet on official US pricing. To find out more about these phones or check out some image samples shot with the XA2 and XA2 Ultra, visit the Sony website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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‘Water Torture Test’ compares Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus weather sealing

10 Jan

As part of their Camera of the Year comparison between the Nikon D850 and the Sony a7R III, Imaging Resource decided to test the cameras’ weather sealing with their very own “water torture test.” And just to spice things up a bit, they threw in the Canon 5D Mark IV and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II for good measure.

All four cameras were subjected to a “brief, moderately heavy rain shower and misty conditions,” and despite what you may think about all top-tier cameras being more alike than different on the weather sealing front, not all four bodies coped well. You can watch the test above or visit Imaging Resource for an in-depth report on their weather sealing tests, but if you want the TL;DR (or DW), it goes something like this:

  • The Canon 5D Mark IV and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II both passed without so much as a stutter. No water getting anywhere it shouldn’t have.
  • The Nikon D850 sprung a small leak into the viewfinder unless the Nikon BS-3 hot shoe cover was used. Everything else stayed dry.
  • The Sony a7R III performed the worst by far, leaking a significant amount of water into the battery compartment (seemingly from above), and malfunctioning entirely during IR’s 15-minute ‘heavy mist’ test.

Of course, one should be careful making sweeping generalizations based on testing one copy of each camera, but if this test is indicative of all Sony a7R III’s weather sealing, Sony might want to take note of IR’s results as they go about designing the Mark IV.

Check out the in-depth review for more details on how each of the four models performed.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony announces Camera Control Box CCB-WD1 for wired RX0 control

09 Jan

The wired control accessory that Sony promised for the RX0 has arrived, as well as PlayMemories Mobile app update to enable more wireless control options. The CCB-WD1 Camera Control Box allows for more precise synchronization of multi-camera setups ideal for VR capture, and can be used to create effects like ‘bullet time.’

The Camera Control Box offers Video Sync for frame-by-frame synchronization between cameras, as well as Time Code sync. Computers running Windows 7/8.1/10 and Macs running OS X 10.11/10.12-10.13 can connect to the Control Box via a web browser where cameras can be named and monitored, and settings can be adjusted. Filenames can be modified to include the camera name which should help streamline post-processing workflow and avoid overwritten files. Multiple pairs of RX0 cameras and Camera Control Boxes allow for up to 100 units in total.

The PlayMemories Mobile v6.2 update allows ‘up to 50’ RX0 units to be controlled wirelessly by way of a router. The new app version also provides a list view of all connected cameras, the ability to simultaneously turn all cameras on and off via Bluetooth, and the ability to control cameras by group.

PlayMemories Mobile 6.2 will be released on January 30th. Camera Control Box pre-sales start January 9th at 11am PT, and it will sell for $ 700.

Press Release

Sony Announces New Expanded Multi-View Shooting Capabilities for the Compact RX0 Camera

New Wired and Wireless Multi-Camera Solutions Enable More Flexibility and Creativity

LAS VEGAS, Jan 8, 2018 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today announced new wired and wireless multi-camera solutions for the versatile RX0 that enable more flexibility, creativity and operability for today’s creators.

The RX0, introduced late this past fall, brings the advanced imaging quality of Sony’s acclaimed RX camera lineup to a robust, waterproof1, ultra-compact body measuring approximately 2 3/8 in. x 1.5/8 in x 1 3/16 in (WxHxD) 2 and weighing just 3.9 oz3. The miniature dimensions and all-around versatility of the new camera make it a powerful tool when used either as a single unit or when combined together with additional RX0 cameras in multi-angle, multi-view shooting situations. For flexible mounting options in tight spaces, the camera features a complete symmetrical lens position and an image flip function, adding to its wide range of creative potential.

The compact RX0 camera offers two different types of solutions for multiple camera shooting and control, including a wired solution for precisely accurate camera synchronization and control, and a wireless solution for added convenience and flexibility.

New RX0 Wired Multi-View Shooting with Camera Control Box

Sony has announced a new accessory Camera Control Box (model CCB-WD1) that connects to the RX04 and enables PC control with web browser5 via wired IP (internet protocol) connection. By converting control signal to IP, camera settings can be reliably controlled6 from a single PC from any location. A wired connection also allows for much seamless control and synchronization of multiple pairs of RX0 cameras and Camera Control Boxes – up to 100 units7 in total – enabling creators to produce high quality movie effects like “bullet-time” or virtual reality, or to shoot high profile events from unique angles.

When using multiple pairs of RX0 cameras and camera control boxes, settings of all connected cameras can be changed simultaneously, and can be triggered to all start/stop recording at the same time. Additionally, a video sync function is also available, allowing frame timing to be synchronized between all connected cameras. This reduces any time gaps between cameras and supports the process of stitching multiple images together to create special effects.

Files can also be transferred directly to the connected PC8, with the ability to assign and change file names to avoid any confusion when dealing with multiple cameras. In total, up to 1007 separate RX0 cameras and CCB-WD1 Camera Control Boxes can be linked together for a live-view multi-camera feed. Additionally, via Camera Control Box, shooting settings and modes for all connected cameras can be easily programmed by the user.

The new CCB-WD1 Camera Control Box will ship next month for about $ 700 US or $ 900 CA.

Improved Wireless Multi-View Shooting with New PlayMemories™ Mobile Application

Sony’s latest version 6.2 of its PlayMemories Mobile application expands the multi-camera control capabilities when paired with the RX04. With the new version of the mobile application, users will be able to link their smartphone or tablet to up to 50 RX0 cameras via an access point9 to control them simultaneously10. In addition to the current ability to change key camera settings, all connected cameras can be turned ON/OFF together11, and users have the ability to control and shoot by separately assigned camera ‘groups’.

The new PlayMemories Mobile application version 6.2 will be available this month.

1. Compliant with JIS/IEC protection levels (based on Sony tests). Shooting in depths of up to 10 meters (33 ft) is possible for up to 60 minutes (JIS: Japan Industrial Standards; IEC: International Electrotechnical Commission). Depending on usage conditions and circumstances, no guarantee is made regarding damage to, malfunction of, or waterproof performance of this camera

2. Approximate dimensions

3. Approximate weight with battery and media included

4. System software update for RX0 (scheduled in January 2018) is required

5. Recommended computer environment
OS: Windows 7/Windows 8.1/Windows 10, Mac OS X 10.11/macOS 10.12-10.13
Web browser: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari

6. Use only in a network environment with security measures

7. Depending on the specifications of the equipment to be used, the number of devices that can be connected will change. Up to 100 units connection have been tested (based on Sony tests)

8. Up to 4 GB per file can be transferred

9. Depending on the specifications of the access point, smartphone, tablet to be used, the radio wave environment of the installation location, the number of devices that can be connected will change. Up to 50 units connection have been tested (based on Sony tests)

10. Use only on Wi-Fi connection with security measures

11. Bluetooth connection required. Depending on the specifications of smartphone, tablet to be used, the number of devices that can be controlled will change.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Sony E-mount sample gallery

06 Jan

The Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is an ultra-fast wide-angle prime for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras. The lens features low-dispersion elements, a nine-blade aperture and weather-sealing, all for under $ 450.

We’ll be posting a gallery from the Micro Four Thirds version of this lens in a few days.

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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony releases silver version of the popular a6300

05 Jan

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Tacked onto the end of the Sony E-mount 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens announcement late last night was a short line that is very easy to miss:

Also announced today, Sony will be releasing a new silver color option for the popular ?6300 camera. The sleek new silver camera body will be available in February 2018 at select retailers.

It’s a minor update to be sure: entirely cosmetic, no difference that we know of in terms of specs or even price. But for those of you considering a Sony a6300—which falls into our Best Cameras Under $ 1,000 buying guide—maybe a new color is the nudge you didn’t know you needed to take the leap.

Read our Sony a6300 Review

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony introduces E-mount 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens for APS-C bodies

05 Jan

Sony has introduced an optically stabilized 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 zoom lens that is ‘an ideal fit’ for its a6000 series of mirrorless cameras. The lens, equivalent to 27-202.5mm on APS-C bodies, features 2 ED and 1 aspherical elements, a minimum focus distance of 45cm and a weight of just 325 g.

The 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS will be available in February for $ 599/£570. We wouldn’t be at all surprised to see this lens kitted with the a6300 and a6500 at some point in the future.

Press Release

New Compact, Lightweight E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Features Outstanding Sharpness and Fast, Precise, Quiet AF for a wide variety of still and video applications

Sony, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, today announced its 46th E-mount lens. This new APS-C lens features a versatile 18-135mm focal length, aperture range of F3.5-F5.6 And Optical SteadyShot™ stabilisation.

The new lens (model SEL18135) features a compact, lightweight design measuring only 67.2mm x 88mm and weighing in at a mere 325g, as well as a high magnification 7.5x optical zoom that covers the wide-ranging focal length of 18-135mm on APS-C or 27-202.5mm in 35mm equivalent focal length. The lens is an ideal fit for Sony’s popular APS-C sensor cameras including ?6500, ?6300 and ?6000, and is an extremely useful tool for a wide range of shooting situations ranging from daily life to portraiture, landscape, nature and travel photography.

The E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS produces outstanding corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the entire zoom range thanks to its advanced design featuring one aspherical lens and two Extra-low Dispersion glass elements that minimise aberrations. This lens also allows photographers to produce close-up images with pleasing ‘bokeh’ or background defocus as a result of its maximum magnification ratio of 0.29x and minimum focus distance of 0.45m. It also offers built-in optical image stabilisation to support handheld shooting.

Additionally, the 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 Zoom lens offers fast, precise, quiet AF performance thanks to a linear motor, making it a perfect complement to the high speed shooting and impressive video capabilities of many of Sony’s mirrorless cameras.

Pricing and Availability

The SEL18135 will be available from February 2018, priced at approximately £570.

Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS specifications

Principal specifications
Lens type Zoom lens
Max Format size APS-C / DX
Focal length 18–1325 mm
Image stabilization Yes
Lens mount Sony E
Aperture
Maximum aperture F3.5–5.6
Minimum aperture F22–36
Aperture ring No
Number of diaphragm blades 7
Optics
Elements 16
Groups 12
Special elements / coatings 1 aspherical + 2 ED elements
Focus
Minimum focus 0.45 m (17.72″)
Maximum magnification 0.29×
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Linear Motor
Full time manual Yes
Focus method Internal
Distance scale No
DoF scale No
Physical
Weight 325 g (0.72 lb)
Diameter 67 mm (2.64″)
Length 88 mm (3.46″)
Sealing No
Colour Black
Zoom method Rotary (extending)
Power zoom No
Zoom lock No
Filter thread 55 mm
Hood supplied No
Tripod collar No

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Video: Using the $5,700 Canon 200mm F2 on the Sony a7R III

04 Jan

Photographer and YouTuber Manny Ortiz recently put together what he calls “the sexiest camera and lens combo” he has ever held: combining the DPReview Product of the Year Sony a7R III with Canon’s beastly 200mm F2L IS USM. He wanted to see if this $ 5,700 lens could live up to its potential on Sony’s latest mirrorless flagship, so he took it with him to a family photo shoot and brought along the vlogging camera to give us all a behind the scenes look.

He adapted the Canon lens to the Sony body using the Sigma MC-11 mount converter, and despite the fact that he was using three different brands at once, the Sony and Canon played well together. In particular, Manny was impressed that Sony’s Eye-AF worked as well as it did with the Canon 200mm, keeping focus locked even on the edges of the frame.

Summing up his final thoughts on this camera and lens combo, he says:

The performance of the Canon 200mm on the Sony a7RIII is really impressive […] It actually blows me away how far [Sony] have come in terms of improving autofocus performance with adapted lenses.

I did notice that in low light, autofocus, especially Eye-AF, isn’t as consistent […] but in good light I didn’t miss any focus.

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Beyond the low-light limitations Manny mentions, it’s also worth noting that you don’t exactly get “all of those” AF modes Sony offers. You still don’t have access to Zone or any of the Lock-on AF modes of the Sony a7R III with Canon glass. Also, max burst rate is just 3 fps. Still, for portrait photographers like Manny, face recognition and Eye-AF are the big ones, and the a7R III seemed to perform very well in those modes in Manny’s test shoot.

To see more of Manny’s photos or tag along on his next photo shoot, head over to his website, give him a follow on Instagram, or subscribe to his channel on YouTube.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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