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  • Take your Composition & Lighting Skills to the Next Level with this 70% Off Deal

    It’s time for day 6 of our 12 Deals of Christmas and this one is from our good friends at Photography Concentrate who have two fantastic eBooks for you to choose from (and a great offer when you pick them both up).

    Concentrate ebooks

    Incredibly Important Composition Skills

    Are you ready to unlock your superpowers in composition and gain real skills that you’ll use in every single shot you take?

    Save 60% on this ebook and video guide from Photography Concentrate (and get a bonus Printable Field Guide and 7 bonus teaching videos)!

    Fantastic Fundamental Light Skills

    When you understand why light looks and behaves the way it does, you’ll know how to control and change it to suit your creative vision – and take better photos.

    Save 60% today on this comprehensive guide (and get a bonus Printable Field Guide)!

    Bundle Them Together

    Grab both Incredibly Important Composition Skills and Fantastic Fundamental Light Skills in this amazing combo deal (with all the bonuses mentioned above).

    A HUGE 70% OFF for 24 hours only!

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    The post Take your Composition & Lighting Skills to the Next Level with this 70% Off Deal by Darren Rowse appeared first on Digital Photography School.


    Digital Photography School

  • Lego Landmarks: Elegant New ‘Architecture Skyline’ Collection

    [ By Steph in Design & Products & Packaging. ]

    LEGO skyline 1

    The phrases ‘adult toys’ and ‘city blocks’ take on a different meaning when applied to architecturally sophisticated LEGO sets like these, enabling you to make your own miniature replicas of the cityscapes including the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Berlin TV Tower, St. Mark’s Basilica and much more. The Architecture Skyline Series explores the most famous architectural achievements of three cities: New York, Venice and Berlin.

    LEGO skyline 3

    These aren’t your ordinary blank slate LEGO bricks, from which all manner of creations can spring, but rather very specific pieces for very specific structures.

    LEGO skyline 2

    With the NYC package, you’ll get the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Statue of Liberty and Flatiron Building as well as the brand new One World Trade Center. Berlin includes the Reichstag, Victory Column, Deutsche Bahn Tower, Berlin TV Tower and Brandenburg Gate. The Venice model will give you St. Mark’s Basilica and Campanile, Rialto Bridge, St. Theodore and the Winged Lion of St. Mark, and the Bridge of Sighs.

    LEGO skyline 4

    LEGO skyline 5

    LEGO has been teasing the release of these sets on Facebook for weeks, and has now revealed that they’ll be available on an unnamed date in January 2016. Follow the company’s Facebook page if you want to be among the first to find out so you can snatch up your own box.

    LEGO louvre

    LEGO architecture studio

    These upcoming sets arrive on the heels of a stunning model of the Louvre in Paris, as well as LEGO’s Architecture Studio, which offers 1210 white and transparent bricks to design and build the architecture of your imagination. Check out the LEGO Architecture series for other classic structures, like Rome’s Trevi Fountain and the Lincoln Memorial.

    Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebUrbanist:

    Get Bricked: 31 Incredible Examples of Lego Architecture

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    LEGO Architecture: 12 Sets Explore Buildings Brick by Brick

    Whether official or fan-created, LEGO architecture sets enable wannabe builders to understand just how some of the world’s most iconic structures come …
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    Learn Modern Architecture Principles with New LEGO Kit

    If you’ve always wanted to design modern buildings, but don’t have any plans to attend architecture school, LEGO has just the tool you’re …
    Click Here to Read More »»


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    [ By Steph in Design & Products & Packaging. ]

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    WebUrbanist

  • Vom Außergewöhnlichen im Gewöhnlichen

    © Oliver Raschka

    Ein Beitrag von: Dr. Oliver Raschka

    Ich bin davon überzeugt, dass man als Fotograf die „besten“ Bilder in seiner gewohnten und vertrauten Lebensumgebung macht, ohne dass man gleich in ein kreatives Tief fällt. So ermöglicht die genaue Beobachtung des täglichen und unmittelbaren Umfelds, die zu Grunde liegenden Strukturen und Muster des städtischen Treibens zu erkennen und in subjektive Bilderwelten zu packen.
    kwerfeldein – Fotografie Magazin | Fotocommunity

  • Kipon to launch reducer to mount medium format lenses on full frame cameras

    Chinese lens manufacturer Kipon has announced that next year it will make available a reducing adapter that’s designed to allow medium format lenses to fit on full frame cameras. The adapter will have a magnification factor of 0.7x which it says will both widen the effective focal length of the lens in use and widen its effective aperture. 

    The first adapter will be designed to mount Hasselblad lenses on Sony E-mount cameras, but the company says it is working on other mounts for a wider range of both lenses and host cameras. 

    The lenses in the adapter channel the light from the exit element to create a tighter covering circle. This means light that would otherwise fall outside the sensor area is directed to land on it to be recorded.

    When a 50mm Hasselblad lens is mounted on a current Hasselblad digital body it produces a similar image area to a 35mm lens on a full-frame camera. That calculation though is a factor of the sensor size of the Hasselblad camera, and the same lens would not deliver that apparent angle of view were it mounted on a full frame camera or in front of the 6x6cm film frames Hasselblad lenses were designed to be used with. 

    The 0.7x magnification of the Kipon adapter has the effect of canceling out the crop factor, turning that 50mm Hasselblad lens back into a 35mm-equivalent on a full-frame camera.

    The adapter will have to be very good quality to make the most of the resolution of Hasselblad lenses, otherwise the exercise will be a bit pointless. It is expected to retail for $ 415 when it becomes available in February.

    For more information visit the Kipon website. 

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • DPReview Recommends: Best compact cameras for travel 2015

    Whether you’re traveling the world or the next town over, having the right camera at your side makes all the difference. We’ve picked out our best picks for the photographer who wants to keep things simple by carrying a compact camera rather than one with interchangeable lenses. If you fall into that category, we’ve got great news for you – there are more high quality cameras with attached lenses than ever before, brimming with features tailored to your needs. 

    Fujifilm X100T

    $ 1099 | 16MP APS-C sensor | 35mm equiv F2 lens | Hybrid electronic / optical viewfinder | 3″ LCD

    Full specifications, sample images, user reviews and more

    Few cameras in recent history have attracted as much of a cult following as Fujifilm’s X100 series. They’re the photographer’s darling – not just a good-looking camera, but a beautifully effective machine. The X100T is small and light, and won’t burden a weary traveler, and its low-profile lends itself to street shooting. If you don’t mind zooming with your feet, its 35mm F2 equivalent lens and 16MP X-Trans APS-C sensor will serve you well.

    In addition to its travel-friendly size, the X100T offers a hybrid viewfinder with optical and digital views. That’s especially handy when the sun is high in the sky and the 1.04M-dot 3″ LCD becomes harder to see. Having been on the market over a year (at time of publication), its 16 megapixels are starting to feel quite low in comparison to some of its peers, but it also means that the price has dropped slightly since its launch. It is worth noting though that its movie mode, which was far from class-leading at launch, is now well behind the competition in terms of quality and 4K support.

    With obviously classic design cues, the X100T’s controls and handling are timeless. Though it doesn’t offer the cutting-edge modern features of its newer peers, it won’t go out of style anytime soon. 

    Also consider…

    Ricoh GR II
    Not a revolutionary update to the original by any means, but the Ricoh GR II’s 16MP APS-C sensor and 28mm F2.8 make the camera one of the best bargains on the market for under $ 600.

    Panasonic Lumix FZ1000

    $ 750 | 20MP 1″-type sensor | 4K video | 25-400mm equiv. focal range | XGA OLED viewfinder

    Full specifications, sample images, user reviews and more

    You can zoom with your feet all day long, but some situations and shooting styles call for real zoom. The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 doesn’t top its class in terms of massive zoom reach, but its 25-400mm equivalent zoom opens up plenty of options, and an F2.8-4.0 aperture is brighter than most of its peers. With a 1″-type 20.1MP CMOS sensor, it borrows some tech from the GH4 including 4K video recording at 30 fps. Its DSLR-style build includes a fully articulated 921k-dot 3″ LCD and a 2.4M-dot OLED viewfinder.

    Also consider… 

    Nikon Coolpix P900 
    On the seventh day, the Nikon Coolpix P900 was created. And there was much zoom. An incredible 24-2000mm equivalent range, in fact. The P900 uses a considerably smaller 16MP sensor than the FZ1000, but its lens is impressive considering what it has to do, the image stabilization is amazing, and the built-in GPS won’t let you forget where you’ve been.

    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV

    $ 950 | 20MP 1″-type sensor | F1.8-2.8 24-70mm equiv. lens | Pop-up EVF | 4K video

    Full specifications, sample images, user reviews and more

    It’s hard not to recommend the Sony RX100 IV to anyone buying a compact. It’s by no means a budget-friendly option, but it’s among the most capable pocket-sized cameras we’ve ever tested. Sony’s excellent 20MP 1″-type sensor is bigger than your garden-variety compact camera sensor with lots of dynamic range, and a 24-70mm equiv. F1.8-2.8 lens is much brighter than most of its competition. The camera’s tiny pop-up EVF is higher resolution than that of it predecessor and comes in very handy in bright outdoor light.

    The RX100 IV really shines when you set the mode dial to movie mode. 4K/UHD recording is available, and at lower resolutions (upscaled to 1080p) high frame rates of 240, 480 and 960 fps can be used. Slow motion video is an awful lot of fun.

    If you want to take control over your settings, shoot high quality video and make the most of your vacation Raw files, the RX100 IV is a solid choice. Of course, if you can live without 4K and high frame rates, the RX100 III will save you a couple hundred dollars and get you much of the same excellent image quality. Neither will get you a lot of zoom if that’s what you’re after, but their image quality is at the top of their class.

    Also consider…

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 
    Before there were fancy Sony point-and-shoots with 1″ sensors, Panasonic had the market cornered on premium zoom compacts for travelers. While its 12MP 1/2.3″ sensor looks a bit pedestrian in comparison, there’s something to be said for a 24-720mm equiv. zoom that just about fits in your pocket. And for under $ 300, it’s pretty much a steal for full manual controls, Raw support and Wi-Fi with NFC.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

    $ 700 | 13MP Four Thirds sensor | 24-75mm equiv. F1.7-2.8 lens | Electronic viewfinder | 4K video

    Full specifications, sample images, user reviews and more

    Why stop at a 1″-type sensor? That’s the question Panasonic engineers must have asked themselves, and lo and behold, the Lumix LX100 was born. It uses a cropped 13MP Four Thirds sensor coupled with a very fast 24-75mm equiv. F1.7-2.8 lens and offers great ergonomics and handling for the kind of photographer who wants quick access to exposure settings. It’s not as pocket-friendly as the RX100 IV, but its solid handgrip gives it a steady feel and its responsive user experience is one of the best we’ve encountered in a compact.

    In addition to recording 4K video, the LX100 also offers a useful 4K Photo Mode, which lets you extract a high quality 8MB still from your clip. Its time-lapse and stop motion animation modes are also a lot of fun. Its zoom is certainly on the shorter side, and for someone who plans to stay in Auto mode the camera’s controls and customization will verge on overkill. But for the seasoned photographer wanting to give her shoulders a break from the big camera, the LX100 is a joy to carry and shoot with.

    Also consider…

    Canon PowerShot G5 X 
    If you want just a bit more zoom (100mm at the top end) and a more traditional SLR-style body you may want to consider the Canon PowerShot G5 X. It sports a 20MP 1″-type BSI CMOS sensor (likely the same as in the RX100 III) and a 24-100mm equiv. F1.8-2.8 lens, along with a fully articulating LCD, high resolution EVF, and full set of manual controls. It’s not great for action shooting and it lacks 4K video, but the G5 X is still worth a look.

    Olympus Tough TG-4

    $ 350 | 16MP 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS sensor | 25-100mm equiv. F2.0-4.9 lens | Everything-proof

    Full specifications, sample images, user reviews and more

    Nothing spoils a vacation like spilling a Mai Tai on your fancy new camera. The Olympus TG-4 isn’t just sealed against spills, its fully waterproof to 15m/50ft, as well as shockproof from 2.1m/7ft, crushproof to 100kg/220lbf and freezeproof to -10C/14F. Wherever your travels may take you, the TG-4 is up to the challenge.

    Outside of its rugged specs, we like the TG-4’s ability to shoot Raw, making it possible to get very nice image quality with a little time invested in post-processing. Its moderate 25-100mm equiv. zoom, which is fast at its wide end, will get you a little closer to the action, and optional accessories like a macro LED ring light and waterproof fisheye lens open up more possibilities. It also provides the peace of mind of knowing your camera will survive just about anything your vacation throws at it.

    Also consider…

    Olympus Tough TG-860
    The Stylus TG-860 is the TG-4’s more casual sibling, lacking buttoned-up features like Raw capture and Aperture priority mode, but provides identical rugged specifications with a flip-up selfie-friendly LCD. If you don’t anticipate doing extensive editing to your snapshots, the TG-860 is good, clean fun for a significantly cheaper price.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Disused 15-Mile Railway to Become Country-Wide Park in Singapore

    [ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

    nature converted rail

    An ambitious infrastructure conversion project in Singapore will turn 15 miles of a abandoned rail corridor into a continuous mixed-use trail-and-park system stretching from one end of the island city-state to the other.

    nature park map

    Led by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and designed by Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei, the coast-to-coast master plan features over 100 access points and 20 modular platforms for various uses, strung together with contiguous bicycling and pedestrian paths.

    nature park

    nature park singapore

    Some spaces will be dedicated to nature-oriented activities, including secluded boardwalks and rainforest viewing stations. Other nodes will be community-oriented, with outdoor movie projectors, climbing walls, information stations, food vendors and additional activity centers.

    nature park information

    The southern terminus will be the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, and the long route north will bring the trail system past a series of both remote and urban areas, under viaducts and over bridges, offering access to city dwellers but also escapes into nature and compelling views. In some cases, redundant infrastructure (like former train stations) will be incorporated into this rails-to-trails redevelopment plan.

    nature park climbing wall

    nature park urbanism

    The goal is to create “seamless public space” that prioritizes the “preservation and reintegration of existing green areas and a relaxed extension of modern life,” according to the designers. The rail corridor should be “inspiring, accessible, comfortable, memorable, eco-friendly and growing/evolving … acting as a catalyst to development and community bonding.”

    Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebUrbanist:

    Leisure in the Sky: 13 Elevated Railway + Rooftop Parks

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    Click Here to Read More »»


    Lookout Below: 1-Mile Toronto Park to Run Under Elevated Highway

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    Turning Tides: 10-Mile Park to Protect NYC from Flooding

    Designed to shield the exposed edges of Lower Manhattan from increasingly-disastrous storms, this impressive system of parks and other public spaces is also …
    Click Here to Read More »»


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    [ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

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  • In Fine Detail: Canon EOS 5DS / 5DS R In-Depth Review

    Preview based on pre-production Canon EOS 5D S & SR

    Canon has added to its EOS 5D range with the launch of two 50MP cameras, the 5DS and the 5DS R. Both cameras are high resolution full frame models, primarily aimed at stills photographers. The only difference between the models is that the ‘S’ has an optical low-pass filter, while the ‘S R’ has a self-cancelling filter (the same relationship as Nikon’s D800 and D800E models shared).

    The two cameras will exist alongside the EOD 5D Mark III, acting as dedicated high resolution cameras primarily intended for studio, landscape and wedding shoots, rather than the all-round capability offered by the existing model. The Mark III still trumps the S and S R in terms of maximum ISO and continuous shooting speed.

    Canon EOS 5DS / 5DS R key features

    • 50MP CMOS sensor
    • 5 fps continuous shooting
    • ISO 100-6400 (Extends to 12,800)
    • 61-point AF module with input from 150k pixel metering sensor
    • Dual Digic 6 processors
    • 3.0″ 1.04M-dot LCD
    • CF & SD slots (UHS-I compatible)
    • 1080/30p video
    • M-Raw and S-Raw downsampled formats
    • 30MP APS-H crop and 19.6MP APS-C crop modes
    • USB 3.0 interface

    Most of the big new features on the high-res 5Ds are about ensuring you’re able to get the best of the cameras’ extra resolution. Our experiences with the Nikon D8X0 series cameras has shown us that simply having a high resolution sensor isn’t enough: to take full advantage of it you need to really obsess about stability.

    To this end, Canon has reinforced the tripod socket and surrounding area to allow stable engagement with a tripod. It has also used a more controllable, motorized mirror mechanism, like the one in the EOS 7D II, that allows a deceleration step before the mirror hits its upper position – reducing mirror slap.

    The third change is a revised mirror lock-up mode that allows you to specify an automatic delay between the mirror being raised and the shutter opening to start the exposure. It allows the user to choose the shortest possible delay that has allowed mirror vibration to subside: maximizing sharpness while minimizing the loss of responsiveness.

    Although the S and the SR can both shoot movies with the same choice of frame rates and compression as the 5D III, they don’t offer clean HDMI output or headphone sockets. The message is pretty clear – if video is a major concern, these aren’t the cameras for you.

     
    Canon EOS 5DS
    Canon EOS 5DS R
    Canon EOS 5D
    Mark III
    Pixel count 50.2MP 50.2MP 22.1MP
    Processor Digic 6 Digic 6 Digic 5+
    Maximum ISO ISO 6400
    (12,800 ext)    		 ISO 6400
    (12,800 ext)    		 ISO 25,600
    (102,400 ext)
    Maximum ISO ISO 6400
    (12,800 ext)    		 ISO 6400
    (12,800 ext)    		 ISO 25,600
    (102,400 ext)
    Maximum frame rate 5 fps 5 fps 6 fps
    Autofocus 61 point, of which 41 are cross type and 5 are double-cross type 61 point, of which 41 are cross type and 5 are double-cross type 61 point, of which 41 are cross type and 5 are double-cross type
    Metering sensor 150k pixels (RGB+IR) 150k pixels (RGB+IR) 63-segment (RG/GB)
    Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter? Yes Self-cancelling Yes
    Uncompressed HDMI output No No Yes
    Headphone jack? No No Yes
    USB connection USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 2.0

    A series of features in the EOS 5DS and S R are ones we first saw in the EOS 7D Mark II. This includes the flicker detection function that warns you of lighting flicker and can synchronize the camera’s continuous shooting so that it only fires at the brightest moments to ensure consistent exposure (rather than the constant variation you can otherwise get in such situations).

    Two other 7D II features to make an appearance in a 5D camera for the first time are the built-in intervalometer function that can be used to shoot time lapse sequences. And, as a first for Canon, these can then be combined in-camera to create a 1080/24p time-lapse movie.

    Canon EOS 5DS / SR overview video

    If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

    Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

    We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X, Y, and Z and ideally A, B, and C.

    This article is Copyright 1998 – 2015 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 17. Dezember 2015

    Das Bild des Tages von: Lukas Wawrzinek

    © Lukas Wawrzineck

    Im Ausblick: das Kameragesicht, Textilfabriken und ein Interview.
    kwerfeldein – Fotografie Magazin | Fotocommunity

  • 5 Tips for Better Landscape Photos

    Landscape photography seems simple to most people – there’s a pretty scene, you walk in, take a couple shots and you’re done … and chances are that you end up with a version of the scene that everyone else has.  So how do you take your “snapshot” to the next level?  Other than the “straight horizon” suggestion that you may have heard before, here are five basic tips you can try out when next you are on the field to help you take better landscape photos:

    WinterLighthouse

    1. Survey Your Scene

    Think about the scene differently. Is there another angle that you can shoot from? Can you get your camera higher or lower? Scouting your location to find different and more interesting vantage points is time well spent.  Also check for elements of interest in the location that can be used to give your photo a sense of scale or add texture. So take a moment, survey your scene, take a chance, shoot from a different perspective and see what you might have missed initially.

    CastleHill

    2. Look for the Light

    Most surreal landscape photography moments happen in the golden hours (dawn and dusk). Sunrise is definitely worth getting out of your bed for in the wee hours of the morning, and sunset is a nice exercise in patience to catch that ideal, magical light. It certainly helps to do research before you head out to determine where the sun rises and sets, or even which season works well for the area you intend to shoot. If you’re still unsure about your directions, walk with a compass (a compass apps for your phone is an easy way to always have one with you).

    DesertSun

    SunsetBrickfield

    There is no harm in light chasing during the day either – sometimes it’s the only time you have with a scene, and you have to make the most of it. You need to be aware that shooting in harsh sunlight produces very contrasty light, which means that you don’t capture much detail in the highlight and shadow areas. An overcast, or cloudy day, softens the light a bit. Outside of the golden hours, the key would be to find an angle where the light is flattering to your subject, or put the sun to your back and give it a go!

    CaribbeanDay

    HorseshoeBend

    Note: I have found that midday sun works well for infrared landscape photography.

    3. Lines and Repetition

    Lines and repetition in a scene catch your viewer’s attention almost immediately, and serves to lead them into the photo. Lines also encourages their eyes to wander around the photo, especially if they start at a corner of the frame. Think about photos of roads and fences, and even the angle of the ocean when composing your shot. Repetitive items or patterns also have a way of holding your viewer’s fascination, and they are everywhere – any element that creates a nice line or geometric shape can give your images structure and form – look for them!

    BeavertailLighthouse

    PathwaytoGoodbye

    4. Foreground Elements

    Placing a foreground element in your shot gives the image extra depth and dimension. It can also be used to convey scale and distance, as well as balance out your photo. A dominant foreground object can draw your viewer in, and quite simply makes your photo a more interesting one.

    SunsetWaterloo

    SmokyCreek

    5. Use a Tripod

    There are different schools of thought on the necessity of always having a tripod, and yes there are many times you can get away without having one. However, outdoor photography comes with many elements of movement, from a gentle breeze to crashing waves, to the sun – something is always moving. Sharp images are ideally what you want, and using a tripod is one way to deal with such movements.

    Tripods are also a must for when you lengthen your shutter speed. You may do this for several reasons; the most common are when using a smaller aperture (higher f-numbers equals smaller aperture opening, which equals less light hitting the sensor) or shooting long exposures (where moving elements are blurred intentionally, e.g., that silky water effect).

    LighteningArches

    SmokyFalls

    Conclusion

    Many of these may not be new to you, but the key is remembering a few when you are out there, and trying to make that scene before you, one that is your own. Maybe you’ll spend a little more time surveying the scene or perhaps looking for lines and repetition?

    Feel free to share any of your landscape photos that you think successfully utilizes any one of these tips in the comments below.

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    The post 5 Tips for Better Landscape Photos by Nisha Ramroop appeared first on Digital Photography School.


    Digital Photography School

  • Sony bringing Alpha SLT-A68 to the US and Canada

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    Sony is bringing its Alpha SLT-A68 DSLR camera – announced in Europe back on November 5th – to the US and Canada this spring.

    The a68 uses the company’s Translucent Mirror Technology, which allows for 8 fps continuous shooting with full-time autofocus, without any blackout between shots. The ‘4D’ autofocus system is borrowed from the more expensive a77 II and features 79 points, 15 of which are cross-type.

    The a68 has a 24MP CMOS sensor, which tops out at ISO 25600, and is paired with the not-as-new Bionz X processor. As with all of Sony’s A-mount cameras it has built-in image stabilization, so every lens you attach has shake reduction. 

    From a design standpoint the a68 has a curvy, SLR-style body with a 3″ (461k-dot) tilting LCD and SVGA OLED electronic viewfinder. It has twin control dials as well as an info display on the top plate. Also included is a Multi Interface Shoe that supports both flashes and advanced microphones.

    The a68 can record Full HD video at 30p with continuous AF using the XAVC S codec, with a top bit rate of 50Mbps. The camera can output clean video over HDMI and also has a jack for an external mic.

    Preorders for the SLT-A68 begin in March for shipment in April. The body only kit is priced at $ 599/800 CAD, while adding an 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 lens brings the price up to $ 699/950 CAD. 

    Press release:

    Sony Announces ?68 A-mount Camera for US and Canada Markets

    New Model Features Ultra-Fast 4D FOCUS, Translucent Mirror Technology and more

    SAN DIEGO, Dec. 17, 2015 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced the ?68 (model ILCA-68) camera with ultra-fast 4D autofocus to the US and Canada markets.

    The new camera, which was announced for the European market last month, is the latest model to feature native compatibility with Sony’s extensive collection of A-mount lenses.  Inheriting many pro-style features from the acclaimed ?77 II, the ?68 features Sony’s unique 4D FOCUS system that delivers extraordinary AF performance under any shooting conditions – even in lighting as low as EV-2 where many other cameras struggle.

    This system utilizes 79 autofocus points – the most AF points on any interchangeable lens camera with a dedicated phase-detection AF sensor1.  Included are 15 cross points as well as a dedicated F2.8 AF sensor point for dimly-lit scenes.  This all adds up to extremely fast, wide area AF with predictive tracking that locks faithfully onto fast-moving subjects.  Additionally, the camera utilizes Sony’s unique Translucent Mirror Technology to deliver constant AF tracking at up to 8 fps2.

    The camera features a 24 MP3 APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor with a wide ISO 100 – 25,600 sensitivity range4, allowing it to produce outstanding image quality for both still images and video.  The sensor is teamed with a powerful BIONZ X image processor that uses Detail Reproduction and Diffraction-reducing Technologies plus Area-specific Noise Reduction, resulting in pristine, finely detailed shots every time.

    Full HD movies use the efficient XAVC S5 format, enabling high bit rate recordings at up to 50 Mbps with outstanding detail and low noise. With Translucent Mirror Technology, shooters can enjoy non-stop continuous autofocus with accurate subject tracking during video shooting, producing crisp, professional looking footage.  With a powerful array of advanced controls and capabilities, the ?68 has plenty to offer experienced amateurs as well as step-up photographers and first time interchangeable lens camera customers.  

    Framing stills and movies is a pleasure through the clear, bright OLED Tru-Finder, which features 100% frame coverage with high contrast and accurate color reproduction.  Complementing the Tru-Finder, the 2.7-type LCD monitor tilts up to 135 degrees upwards or 55 degrees downwards for comfortable composition from a wide variety of shooting angles. Serious photo enthusiasts will also value the backlit top display that allows quick confirmation of camera settings, whether shooting handheld or on a tripod.

    As found on the critically acclaimed ?7 series, the ?68 has a control wheel on the camera’s rear that allows quick fingertip adjustment of camera settings, as well as 10 customizable buttons6 that frequently-used functions can be assigned to.  There is also a front control dial for quick adjustments of settings and a sturdy grip to ensure a balanced shooting experience, even when using heavyweight prime or telephoto lenses.

    The new camera features SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization to reduce the effects of camera shake and allow for blur-free handheld shooting at all focal lengths, with any compatible lens.  Additionally, the inclusion of a Multi Interface Shoe and Multi Terminal lets users expand their creative options with a wide range of optional accessories, including flashes, lights, microphones and remote commanders.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Sony ?68 interchangeable lens camera will be available in April at authorized Sony retailers in the US for about $ 600 body only or about $ 700 in a kit along with the DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II lens.  In Canada, the body and kit will also be available in April and will be sold for about $ 800 and $ 950 CAD, respectively.

    1. According to Sony research, as of December 2015
    2. In Tele-Zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE
    3. Approximate effective megapixels
    4. Still Images: ISO 100 – 25600, Movies: ISO100 – 12800 equivalent
    5. An SDXC memory card with a Class 10 or higher speed rating is required for XAVC S recording
    6. Total 10 customizable buttons including two dedicated custom buttons + 8 assignable buttons

    Sony Alpha SLT-A68 specifications

    Price
    MSRP €600 (body only), €700 (with 18-55mm lens)
    Body type
    Body type Mid-size SLR
    Body material Composite
    Sensor
    Max resolution 6000 x 4000
    Other resolutions 3:2 (4240 x 2832, 3008 x 2000), 16:9 (6000 x 3376, 4240 x 2400, 3008 x 1688)
    Image ratio w:h 3:2, 16:9
    Effective pixels 24 megapixels
    Sensor photo detectors 25 megapixels
    Sensor size APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
    Sensor type CMOS
    Processor Bionz X
    Color space sRGB, AdobeRGB
    Color filter array Primary color filter
    Image
    ISO Auto, 100-25600
    White balance presets 9
    Custom white balance Yes (3 slots)
    Image stabilization Sensor-shift
    Uncompressed format RAW
    JPEG quality levels Super fine, fine, normal
    File format
    • JPEG (DCF v2.0, EXIF v2.3)
    • Raw (ARW 2.3)
    Optics & Focus
    Autofocus
    • Contrast Detect (sensor)
    • Phase Detect
    • Multi-area
    • Center
    • Selective single-point
    • Tracking
    • Single
    • Continuous
    • Face Detection
    • Live View
    Autofocus assist lamp Yes
    Digital zoom Yes (1.4x – 8x)
    Manual focus Yes
    Number of focus points 79
    Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha
    Focal length multiplier 1.5×
    Screen / viewfinder
    Articulated LCD Tilting
    Screen size 2.7″
    Screen dots 460,800
    Touch screen No
    Screen type TFT LCD
    Live view Yes
    Viewfinder type Electronic
    Viewfinder coverage 100%
    Viewfinder magnification 0.88×
    Viewfinder resolution 1,440,000
    Photography features
    Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
    Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
    Exposure modes
    • Auto
    • Program
    • Aperture Priority
    • Shutter speed priority
    • Manual
    Built-in flash Yes
    Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
    External flash Yes (via hot shoe)
    Flash modes Flash off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Wireless, High Speed sync
    Drive modes
    • Single-frame
    • Continuous high/low
    • Continuous advance priority AE
    • Self-timer
    Continuous drive 8.0 fps
    Self-timer Yes (Yes (2 or 12 sec))
    Metering modes
    • Multi
    • Center-weighted
    • Spot
    Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
    AE Bracketing ±3 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
    WB Bracketing Yes (3 shots, low/high selectable)
    Videography features
    Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p, 24p), 1440 x 1080, 640 x 480
    Format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
    Videography notes Supports XAVC S with 50Mbps bit rate (30p, 24p)
    Microphone Stereo
    Speaker Mono
    Storage
    Storage types SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
    Connectivity
    USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    HDMI Yes (micro HDMI)
    Microphone port Yes
    Headphone port No
    Remote control Yes (wired or smartphone)
    Physical
    Environmentally sealed No
    Battery Battery Pack
    Battery description NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery and charger
    Weight (inc. batteries) 610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz)
    Dimensions 143 x 104 x 81 mm (5.63 x 4.09 x 3.19″)
    Other features
    Orientation sensor Yes
    GPS None

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)