Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Fuji X100 Review

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As of today, the Fuji X100 stands in a category of its own in terms of features, price and performance.  While other manufacturers have attempted to push the envelope, none have succeeded like Fuji has with the X100.  Armed with a 12.3MP sensor and a fixed focal length of 23mm (35mm equivalent), the X100 is not your ordinary point and shoot camera.  It’s also not a DSLR or what we typically categorize as a “mirrorless” camera even though it has no reflex mirror.

The Fuji X100 stands alone as a game changer in the “pro”-sumer photography realm. [Read more…]

 

Fuji X100 Insane Flash Sync Speed

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The Fuji X100 has a crazy-high flash sync speed thanks to its 4-leaf shutter.  The Strobist crowd is really going to dig this thing.  Talk about killing the Sun…

Using an old Nikon SB-26 in manual mode connected via a Pearstone 6′ extension cable, I did some backyard experimenting with the X100.  [Read more…]

Sony NEX-FS100

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Sony has just released details on its new professional grade NEX camcorder – the NEX-FS100.  This new camcorder is the big brother to the popular NEX-VG10 and accepts all E-Mount lenses, as well as A-Mount lenses with the use of an adapter.

The Sony NEX-FS100 sports an APS-C / Super35mm format sensor and is capable of recording 1920 x 1080 60p at 28Mbps.  The NEX-FS100 will also capture at 30p and 24p frame rates – and it offers the ability to shoot with a proper 1/48s shutter speed when recording 24p video.  Additionally, the NEX-FS100 includes built-in controls for over- and under-cranking footage at full 1920 x 1080 resolution. [Read more…]

Sigma DP2x

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The Sigma DP2x is a 14MP compact camera  with an APS-C image sensor, which is roughly the same size as found in DSLRs like the Canon 7D.

This newest iteration of the DP2 offers improved autofocus capabilities and incorporates Analog Front End (AFE), which converts full color data through the FOVEON X3 image sensor into a digital signal.  Sigma says that AFE “enables the camera to reproduce high definition and richly colored images.”

For those unfamiliar with the FOVEON image sensor, Sigma explains the DP2x’s functionality as follows:

The DP2x uses the same 14 megapixel (2,652×1,768×3 layers) direct image sensor as the SD14, SD15 and other DP series cameras. Utilizing the special features of silicon, which is penetrated to different depths by different wavelengths of light, this direct image sensor succeeds in full-color capture with the full RGB in a single-pixel location. Since the moire is not generated, use of a low-pass filter is not needed because full information of light and color can be captured with three-dimensional feeling.

The Sigma DP2x 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 DSLR.  The lens is a new design and exclusive to the DP2x.  The DP2x allows for RAW image capture in order to make the most of the FOVEON X3 sensor and TRUE II image processor.

No word yet on price or availability.

See the full spec list below. [Read more…]

Fuji X100 Full Specs Released, Ships in March for $1200

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Fuji has made quite a show of its APS-C format, fixed lens X100 camera.  Today, Fuji dropped what should be its final press release on the X100, detailing availability, price and full spec list.

The 12.3MP Fuji X100 should be available in March 2011 at an initial retail price of $1199.95.  Check availability at B&H Photo and Amazon.com.

Check out additional photos, the press release and full specifications below. [Read more…]

Leica X1 in Black

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Leica announced at Photokina 2010 the availability of the X1 in all black, starting in October 2010.

The Leica X1 is an APS-C format camera, which has a 1.5x crop factor, and features a 2.7″ display and a fixed 24mm f/2.8 lens.  The all-black X1 will carry an initial retail price of $1995.00.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Sony Interchangeable Lens HD Camcorder With APS Sensor Coming

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It was only a matter of time.

With overwhelming success of the Canon 5D Mark II and subsequent video-capable DSLRs, it was only a matter of time before someone broke the mold and put a DSLR-sized sensor in a true camcorder body.  I suspect that Canon and Nikon are both working on a similar concept; however, it looks as if Sony may be the first one out of the gate.

Sony has announced that it is working on a camcorder based on the 14.2MP CMOS sensor found in the newly announced NEX-5 and NEX-3.  The camcorder will allow the new Sony E-mount lenses to be used, as well as existing Alpha-mount lenses. [Read more…]