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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Blackmagic Design Studio Cameras Get Price Drops

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Blackmagic Studio Camera

Blackmagic Design has dropped the prices on its Studio Camera HD and Studio Camera 4K models. The HD model will reduce in price by $300 and the Ultra HD model will reduce in price by $500.

The HD Blackmagic Studio Camera model is now $1,695 and the Ultra HD Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K model is now $2,495.

Blackmagic notes that the reason for the price drop is based on customer feedback regarding the lack of use of the fiber connection. Blackmagic has removed the connection from the cameras and made it an aftermarket accessory that can simply be plugged into the camera.

Personally, I think the biggest detraction from the studio cameras is the lack of lens options. Sure there are plenty of Micro Four Thirds cameras in the world and you can buy an adapter for virtually any other lens mount. However, many users would like to put studio B4 lenses on these cameras and that is just a clunky option.

If Blackmagic had built these cameras with a 2/3″ sensor and a native B4 lens mount, I don’t think they could make them fast enough. Sometimes, a bigger sensor is not always the best option.

 

Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR Lens Announced

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Pentax HD DA 55-300mm ED WR Lens with Hood

Alongside the new Pentax K-3, Ricoh also announced the new Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR lens. The new telephoto zoom features Pentax’s multi-layer High Definition (HD) coating and a weather sealed construction.

The Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR lens should be available in November for $449.95. Check it out here at B&H Photo. [Read more…]

Panasonic AG-AC90 Pro HD Camcorder Announced

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Panasonic AG-AC90

Panasonic has announced the new AG-AC90 AVCCAM HD camcorder, which features 3-MOS image sensors capturing HD video at 1080/60p, 60i, 30p and 24p.

The pro camcorder features a stabilized 12x optical zoom lens (29.8-357.6mm equivalent) and three independent adjustable rings for zoom, focus and iris.  The AC90 records to two SD card slots with support for SDXC and UHS-1.  Data rates measure 28Mbps for 60p only and 21Mbps average for other 1080 frame rates.  Lower data rates are available for extended recording times.

The AC90 also includes dual XLR inputs and a built-in stereo mic.  The camera has both an eye-piece viewfinder and a 3.5-inch LCD monitor at 1.15MP resolution.

The Pansonic AG-AC90 will be available in late fall 2012 at a targeted $2250 retail price.  Check for availability at B&H Photo.

Fuji FinePix F800EXR Offers Wireless Sharing via iOS and Android Devices

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Fuji FinePix F800EXR

The Fuji FinePix F800EXR is a new 16MP point and camera with a 20x optical zoom lens (25-500mm equivalent).

Like the recently introduced Samsung MV900F and the Panasonic SZ5, the new F800EXR features built-in Wi-Fi compatibility.  Akin to the Panasonic SZ5, Fuji offers a free app that can be installed on Android and iOS devices, which will connect the F800EXR to your smartphone or tablet.  Using this app, you can download images from the camera to your mobile device and edit or share them as you see fit.

Additional features on the F800EXR include a 3-inch, 460K-dot res LCD, 1080p HD video capture and RAW image capture.

The Fuji F800EXR should be available in August for $349.95.  Check availability at B&H Photo.

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

Sony NEX-FS700 Price Confirmed at $7999

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Sony NEX-FS700

B&H now has the price listed for the Sony NEX-FS700 at $7999 for the camera body.  And, the price with the 18-200mm kit lens is $8599.

We kinda expected a pricepoint in this neighborhood; however, now that I’m actually looking at it, it’s hard to believe that Sony is delivering 240fps at full 1080p for $8k.  And, to boot, it’s going to capture 4K via an external recorder.

No pre-orders yet, but stay tuned.  I’ll let you know as soon as they open up.

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…]

Associated Press Sees Canon 5D Mark II as a “Game Changer”

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In the above video from Beet.TV, Vice President & Director of Associated Press Broadcasting News, Kevin Roach, talks about writers taking on video projects and photographers adding the 5D Mark II to their arsenal in order to tell a story beyond a single frame.

No doubt the 5D Mark II is a game changer; however, Roach’s commentary on the AP’s approach to news gathering and what this new era of DSLRs has done for the AP is interesting nonetheless.

Sony A77 Price and Features: Soapbox Edition

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In the recent post about the Sony A77 prototype camera on display at CP+, Chris left a comment asking about the price of the new camera, which is due to be released later this year.

So far, Sony hasn’t revealed the price point for this new camera.  However, we do know a few things about the A700 successor. [Read more…]