Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony NEX-FS700: 4K APS-C Camcorder & 240fps at 1080p

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Sony NEX-FS700

Sony has released preliminary information on the upcoming NEX-FS700, and it looks like a killer camera out of the box if the price comes in around the expected $8k mark, available in June.

The FS700 will ship as a 1080p camera that utilizes an 11.1MP EXMOR CMOS sensor, which will later receive a firmware upgrade to enable the 4K functionality.  It’s not clear whether or not this upgrade will come at an additional expense like the initial S-LOG upgrade for the Sony F3.

More so than the 4K, the feature that really excites me is the ability to capture 10x slow motion in full 1080p.  The record times are limited to 8 seconds for 240fps and 16 seconds for 120fps.

Sony FS700

Another big boon is the built-in ND filters (up to 6 stops) that we all missed on the FS100, along with 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs for external capture devices.  It will also come with expanded focus magnification up to 8x out of the box – something the FS100 will get via a firmware update later this month.  Another expected update for the FS100 is the ability to store camera profile settings on memory cards – and, thankfully, Sony will put this on the FS700 from day one.

Sony FS700

I’ll have more coverage on this new camera as additional details emerge. For now, check out the rest of the new features below. [Read more…]

 

Sony Set to Launch an APS-C G1 X Competitor?

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Canon G1 X

Sony Alpha Rumors is pegging a compact Sony APS-C camera that will go head-to-head with the Canon G1 X.  Reportedly, the camera would use a pancake zoom lens to keep the size down.

I think Sony has a great thing going with the NEX line. So, I’m very interested to see what such a camera could add to Sony’s lineup.  If anything, I think a fixed-lens camera seems more accessible to a larger market.  This isn’t necessarily in terms of price (the Canon G1 X isn’t cheap), but rather in terms of perceived user experience. [Read more…]

Pentax K-01: The Mirrorless K-Mount

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Pentax K-01

The Pentax K-01 is a new mirrorless camera featuring the eternal K-mount and an APS-C 16MP CMOS image sensor.  The K-01 captures 1080p video at 30fps and a 720p video at 60fps.

Built-in sensor-shift image stabilization expands the benefit to over 25 million legacy K-mount lenses in the world today.  The K-01 captures up to 6fps still images and covers a sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600.

The Pentax K-01 should be available in March for $749 (body only) and $899 w/ the new pancake 40mm f/2.8 lens.  Check availability on B&H and Amazon.

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

Major Canon Announcement Confirmed for Nov. 3

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Canon Hollywood Announcement

Well, Canon just stirred the pot.  Engadget received the above invitation for an announcement of something big from Canon on November 3, 2011.  The prominent display of the Hollywood location leads to the obvious suggestion that Canon is finally set to premiere its serious, large-sensor video camera. [Read more…]

Sony NEX-5n Overheating Issue is Not Really an Issue

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I’ve seen some forum and blog postings about the Sony NEX-5n having an overheating issue.  As you can see in the above “Overheating Test” video, it records for over 23 minutes before shutting down.

Those large CMOS sensors generate a lot of heat.  And while they are great for producing bokeh-filled cinematic shots, they can’t quite replace the endless recording times of camcorders.  But camcorders can’t give you the awesome bokeh you get out of the NEX-5n and its ilk (of course there are APS-C format camcorders, but they start at around $2000 and go way up from there). [Read more…]

Samsung NX200 Mirrorless Camera Announcement

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Samsung NX200

The oft-rumored Samsung NX200 has finally been unveiled.  The NX200 features a Samsung-developed 20.3MP image sensor that also captures 1080p HD video.

The NX200 offers a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,800 and sports a 3.0” VGA AMOLED display.  Additionally, the NX200 makes use of a new i-Function 2.0 lens control, which is compatible with existing i-Function lenses, as well as new lenses at 18-200mm, 16mm, 60mm and 85mm focal lengths.  Samsung also claims rapid AF and shooting speeds with a max frame rate of 7fps.

No word yet on price or release date.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

Sigma DP2x Available for Pre-Order

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Sigma DP2x

B&H Photo notified me that the DP2x should be in stock shortly and that they are now accepting pre-orders.  The Sigma DP2x, which was announced back in February, is a fixed lens APS-C format camera – not too different from the general design of the Fuji X100.

The DP2x uses Sigma’s FOVEON image sensor and features a fixed 24.2mm f/2.8 lens, which is equivalent to the field of view of a 41mm lens on a full frame camera.

You can pre-order it here at B&H Photo.