Nikon has launched the AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, a redesigned version of the 12-year-old 80-400mm VR. The G version features an entirely new optical formulation, ring-type AF-S focus motor and revamped VR system capable of a claimed four stops of stabilization.
Phase One has unveiled the IQ260, IQ260 Achromatic and Wi-Fi enabled IQ280 medium format digital camera backs. The 60MP IQ260 and IQ260 Achromatic feature minimum shutter speeds of 1/10,000th of a second. The IQ260 Achromatic is a black-and-white version, with no color and IR filter. The 80MP IQ280’s wireless capability allows users to remotely capture and view images from iOS devices. All three backs feature 3.2″ multi-touch rear screens with 1.15m dot resolution, and built-in accelerometers. They will be available from June 2013 at suggested retail prices starting from €29,990 /$ 39,990.
US technology company Rambus has unveiled ‘Binary Pixel’ sensor technology, promising greatly expanded dynamic range for the small sensors used in devices such as smartphones. Current image sensors are unable to record light above a specific saturation point, which results in clipped highlights. Binary Pixel technology gets around this by recording when a pixel has received a certain amount of light, then resetting it and in effect restarting the exposure. The result is significantly expanded dynamic range from a single-shot exposure. The company has demonstrated the technology using a low resolution sensor, and says it can easily be incorporated into CMOS sensors using current manufacturing methods.
Nikon has announced the D7100 – a 24MP mid-range, enthusiast-focused APS-C DSLR. The D7100 promises high resolution by making do without an optical low-pass filter in front of its 24MP CMOS sensor. It gains a more sophisticated 51-point autofocus system and a 7fps 1.3x cropped shooting mode that provides a 2x crop compared to a 35mm system. The D7100 has a recommended price of $ 1,599/£1,299 with 18-105mm F3.5-5.6 VR lens.
CP+ 2013: Nikon has announced the CoolPix S5200 and L28 – two affordable compact cameras. The S5200 is a 6x compact with a 26-156mm equivalent stabilized zoom lens and a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor. It features a 3″ LCD screen and built-in Wi-Fi capability and will retail for around $ 180. The L28 offers a slightly more modest 26-130mm 5x zoom lens in front of a 20MP CCD sensor. It uses AA batteries and will sell for around $ 120.
Fujifilm has announced the FinePix T550, its latest compact travel zoom camera. The T550 has a 16MP CCD sensor, features a 12x 24-288mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens, image stabilization and 1280 x 720 video. The camera also comes with a sweep panorama mode as well as several effects filters. In the UK Fujifilm is releasing the T500, which is identical aside from a 2.7-inch versus 3.0-inch rear LCD panel.
Panasonic has announced the lifestyle-oriented HX-A100 ‘wearable’ camcorder. The video camera includes an ‘Earthhook’ which allows for hands-free video recording. HD video can be captured at 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps. Wi-Fi connectivity allows for live streaming on Ustream and you can use a smartphone or tablet to start and stop recording. The HX-A100 is also waterproof up to 1.5m (5 feet). Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.
Nikon has announced the D5200 – an upper entry-level DSLR that improves on the D5100 by offering a 24MP CMOS sensor (probably the same one we’ve seen in the D3200), 1080p/60i movie capability, a side-articulated 921K dot 3.0″ tilt/swivel LCD and new processing filters. Interestingly, the D5200 is equipped with a significantly upgraded AF system, based around the same Multi-Cam 4800DX AF sensor that is used in the D7000, and the same 2016-pixel RGB metering sensor. The D5200 is also compatible with Nikon’s optional WU-1a WiFi module. Pricing and availability has yet to be confirmed.
Nikon has announced the D5200 – an upper entry-level DSLR that improves on the D5100 by offering a 24MP CMOS sensor (probably the same one we’ve seen in the D3200), 1080p/60i movie capability, a side-articulated 921K dot 3.0″ tilt/swivel LCD and new processing filters. Interestingly, the D5200 is equipped with a significantly upgraded AF system, based around the same Multi-Cam 4800DX AF sensor that is used in the D7000. The D5200 is also compatible with Nikon’s optional WU-1a WiFi module. Pricing and availability has yet to be confirmed.
DxO Labs has announced DxO Optics Pro 8 a major update of its image processing tool incorportating ‘DxO Smart Lighting.’ The company’s Smart Lighting tool influences both image brightness and contrast using a single slider and will attempt to recover both highlight and shadow detail. Meanwhile a selective tone tool makes it easy to apply different changes to the highlight, mid-tone and shadow regions of an image.The software also allows the configuration of multiple output options. It also gains more lens/body optical correction profiles, with DxO aiming to double the current 10,000 combinations by the end of 2013. The software comes with the customary introductory pricing valid until November 15th.