Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Olympus Stylus XZ-2 Unveiled

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Olympus XZ-2

The Olympus Stylus XZ-2 is a follow-up to the popular and powerful XZ-1.  The XZ-2 adds a new hybrid control ringer and touch controls similar to what is found on the Olympus OM-D E-M5.

Olympus Stylus XZ-2 Key Features

  • 12MP BSI CMOS sensor
  • 4x optical zoom (24-96mm equivalent)
  • Fast aperture f/1.8-2.5
  • 3-inch swivel touchscreen LCD
  • 5fps burst mode
  • ISO 100-12800
  • 1080p HD video capture
  • RAW image capture
  • Sensor-shift image stabilization
  • Hot shoe
  • Olympus Art Filters

The Olympus XZ-2 should be available in November 2012 for $599.99.  Check availability here at B&H Photo.

 

Olympus E-PL5 Officially Announced with Ultra-thin 15mm Lens

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Olympus E-PL5

The Olympus E-PL5 is a new Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera with a 16MP LiveMOS sensor.  The new mirrorless camera sports an all-metal body, a 170-degree tilting LCD and captures 1080i HD video.

Olympus also introduced a new body cap alongside the E-PL5 that sports a built-in 15mm f/8 lens, which means you can grab a quick shot without a bulky lens (you know, since it’s a lens too…).

Olympus E-PL5 Key Features

  • 16MP Live MOS Sensor
  • TruePic VI Image Processor
  • RAW Image Capture
  • 8fps Frame Rate
  • M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5 Lens
  • 3.0″ Flip Portrait LCD w/ Touch Control
  • Full 1080i HD Video
  • F.A.S.T. Auto Focus
  • In-Body Image Stabilization
  • ISO Range to 25600
  • 12 In-camera Art Filters
  • Includes FL-LM1 Flash Unit

The Olympus E-PL5 should be available in October for $699.  Check availability here at B&H Photo.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Features 24-1200mm Zoom Lens

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Canon SX50 HS

The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS is the latest superzoom from Canon, and packs a whopping 50x zoom lens.  The SX50 HS features a 12.1MP CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 image processor (for faster AF and shot-to-shot times) and a 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD.

Additionally, the SX50 HS will capture 1080p HD video and 12-bit RAW images.  The new superzoom also sports a hot shoe for Canon Speedlites.

The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS should be available in October for $479.99. Check availability here at B&H Photo.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Key Features

  • 24-1200mm (35mm Equivalent) Lens
  • 50x Optical Zoom
  • 12.1MP CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor
  • 2.8″ Vari-Angle LCD with Viewfinder
  • Full HD 1080p Video with Stereo Sound
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • High Speed AF Focuses in 0.19 sec
  • High-Speed Burst HQ for 13fps Shooting
  • Built-in Hot Shoe

 

Canon PowerShot S110 Serious Compact Adds iOS and Android Compatibility

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Canon S110

The Canon PowerShot S110 is the compact camera follow-up to the very solid S100.  The S110 features a 12.1MP CMOS sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens (24-120mm equivalent) with a bright f/2 aperture on the wide end. Canon also steps up the speed in AF and shot-to-shot times in the S110 thanks to the DIGIC 5 image processor.

The S110 uses built-in WiFi to connect with iOS and Android devices, which you can use to upload your images to social networks via the free Canon CameraWindow app.

The S110 captures full 1080p HD video and features a 3-inch capacitive touch panel LCD, as well as RAW image capture.

The Canon S110 should be available in October for $449.99.  Check availability here at B&H Photo.

Canon PowerShot S110 Key Features

  • 12.1MP Resolution 1/1.7″ CMOS Sensor
  • 24-120mm UA Lens (35mm Equivalent)
  • 5x Optical Zoom, f/2.0-5.9 Aperture
  • 3.0″ PureColor Touch Screen LCD Display
  • HS SYSTEM Technology, High Speed AF
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor, Intelligent IS
  • Full HD 1080p Video with Stereo Sound
  • High-Speed Burst HQ, Manual Control Ring
  • ISO 12800, Multi-Aspect Ratio RAW
  • Smart AUTO, Movie Digest & Wi-Fi

Fuji INSTAX Mini 8 Instant Film Camera Announced

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Fuji Instax Mini 8

The Fuji Instax Mini 8 is the next instant film camera in the Instax family due out early 2013.

The Instax Mini 8 uses the same credit card sized photos as found in other Instax Mini models, like the Mini 7S and Mini 25.  The Instax Mini 8 will be available in five different colors: pink, blue, yellow, white and black.

Expect to see more on this analog camera at CES 2013.

Canon PowerShot G15 Offers Bright Lens and Faster AF

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Canon G15

The Canon PowerShot G15 picks up where the G12 left off and steps up the game for the serious compact camera line with a f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent) and faster AF and shot-to-shot times.

The G15 sports a conservative 12.1MP CMOS sensor and Canon DIGIC 5 image processor, while offering max ISO speeds up to 12,800 and 1080p HD video capture.  The G15 continues the serious feature set of a hot shoe for Canon Speedlites and an optical viewfinder, as well as a 3-inch 922k-dot res LCD.

The Canon G15 should be available in October for $499.99. Check availability here at B&H Photo.

Canon G15 Key Features

  • 12.1MP CMOS Sensor
  • 3.0″ LCD Monitor
  • 5x Optical Zoom 6.1-30.5mm Lens
  • 28-140mm 35mm Equivalent Focal Length
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor
  • 1080p HD Video Capture
  • 12800 ISO
  • Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
  • 10fps Continuous Capture
  • RAW & JPEG Capture

Canon 6D Officially Unveiled

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Canon 6D

Canon finally took the wraps off the long-awaited EOS 6D, which is the latest full frame DSLR in Canon’s EOS lineup. The 6D gets Canon’s lowest retail pricepoint for a full frame shooter at $2099, which just happens to be the same price of the new Nikon D600.

The Canon 6D features a new 20.2MP CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 5+ processor.  Additionally, the Canon 6D sports an 11-point AF system, a 3-inch LCD and the ability to capture HD movies at 1080p in 24p/30p.  The 6D features a wide sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600 (or ISO 50-102400 with expansion).

The Canon 6D eschews the CF format for memory – opting for SDXC cards instead (another first for a full frame Canon DSLR). Additionally, the 6D offers built-in GPS with image tagging and tracking modes available.

The Canon 6D should be available in December 2012 for $2099.  It is also available as a kit with the solid EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens for $2899.  Check availability here at B&H Photo.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Phottix Odin TTL Trigger for Sony Shipping This Week

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Phottix_Odin_For_Sony

The Phottix Odin TTL Flash Trigger for Sony will start to ship this week.  Here are the key features:

  • Wireless 2.4GHz. TTL and Manual Flash Triggering
  • Remote power control of groups in TTL with +/- EV adjustments (3 stops in 1/3 stop increments  – 18 different levels.)
  • Remote manual mode flash power control with 1/3 stop adjustments
  • Remote flash head zoom adjustments – auto or manual
  • Mix TTL and Manual flash – fire some groups in TTL, others as manual
  • Remote power control in A:B ratio modes with +/- EV adjustments
  • High speed sync – shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec.
  • Second curtain sync functions
  • Compatible with Phottix Strato 4-in-1, Phottix Strato II Multi 5-in-1 Wireless Triggers and Phottix Atlas II Triggers
  • Upgradeable firmware via built-in USB port.

Now that they’ve made a TTL trigger with that ridiculous, backwards mount, Sony unloads the A99 and RX1 with a standard ISO hot shoe.  I talked to Phottix about this and was told that they are actively evaluating Sony’s new move and when update us once their R&D team has had time to assess the new Sony system.  In the mean, their are a whole lot of Sony Alpha shooters out their with the old Minolta mount that can make immediate use of these new triggers.

Check out the Phottix Online Store, Amazon or Adorama for Phottix products.

Switronix Unveils 3-Stud Plate w/ Double P-Tap Outputs for Blackmagic Cinema Camera

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Switronix Blackmagic Cinema Camera Accessories

Switronix added the GP-A-BMCC to its Blackmagic Cinema Camera accessory lineup.  The GP-A-BMCC is a 3-Stud Plate with double P-Tap outputs and 20″ Black Magic Cinema Camera DC pin connection.

Switronix also makes the PB70-BMCC Powerbase solution for the Blackmagic Cinema Camera, along with the GP-DV-BMCC connector block and the GP-S-BMCC V-mount plate with double P-tap output.

Fuji XF1 Retro Compact Officially Unveiled

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Fuji XF1

Fuji has taken the wraps off of its latest X-series camera, the XF1 compact camera.

The new XF1 is a retro take on the compact camera – styled much like the current X100, X-Pro1 and X-E1.

The Fuji XF1 features a 12MP 2/3-inch CMOS sensor and optical image stabilization on its 4x zoom lens (25-100mm equivalent).  The lens offers a variable aperture of f/1.8-4.9 and a manual zoom ring.  Other features include full HD video capture and 360-degree panoramic images.

 Fuji XF1 Key Features

  • 12MP EXR CMOS 2/3-Inch Sensor
  • High Quality Fujinon 4x F1.8-4.9 Manual Zoom Lens
  • 3.0-Inch LCD (460k-dot res)
  • Full HD Video Capture
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Full Manual Controls
  • ISO 100-12800
  • Macro Shooting to 3cm
  • Motion Panorama 360-degree
  • In-Camera RAW Converter

The Fuji XF1 should be available in October for $499.95.  It is currently available for pre-order here at Amazon.com.