Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Fotodiox has a new flash trigger system, the WonderBurst NEX, which features the unique NEX flash mount transmitter and a traditional hot shoe receiver. The wireless units feature 16 selectable channels and a 300′ range.
These are manual-only triggers and do not transmit TTL info and the manual flash sync speeds are limited to 1/160s. Still yet, it’s a very affordable system at only $40 for the transmitter and receiver package. Check it out here on Amazon.com.
Below you will find this week’s firmware updates. Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware. [Read more…]
Even though the Sony NEX-3 is last year’s model, it’s still a competent camera – and Amazon has a solid deal now through December 3. The Sony NEX-3 kit with an 18-55mm lens and the 16mm f/2.8 pancake lens is only $499.
The 16mm lens alone is normally $250, so this is quite a bargain.
Here’s the link to Amazon.
It looks like Sony’s newest NEX camera has surfaced. The new NEX-C3 follows last year’s release of the NEX-5 and NEX-3 is rumored to have a 16.2MP sensor and the ability to capture 720p HD video. Accompanying the new mirrorless camera is a new Sony NEX flash (pictured below).
Both products are expected to be announced in May 2011. Note that the NEX-5 and NEX-3 were announced on May 11, 2010 following several leaks of product photos in the days leading up to the official announcement.
More photos of the new NEX-C3 below. [Read more…]
Sony has a number of Alpha models (both DSLR and NEX) on special through March 5, 2011. Most of the instant rebates are $50 off and include the new Sony A33 and NEX-3. Additionally, the A900 has a $200 instant rebate; however, those are apparently in short supply at the moment.
See the full list of available Sony instant rebates over here at B&H Photo.
In addition to the Sony A700 replacement, Sony had a number of mockup lenses for the NEX-3 and NEX-5 mirrorless cameras on display at CES 2011 (albeit behind glass). [Read more…]
If a recent patent application from Sony is any indicator of coming products, it looks like we could see a translucent mirror in future NEX-format cameras.
The obvious benefit of using this design in future NEX cameras is the ability to use a phase-difference autofocus mechanism (as typically found in DSLRs) instead of the slower, less accurate contrast-detection method that so-called “mirrorless” cameras have used to date.
Sony has already forged this technology in current Alpha “DSLR” models – Sony A33 and A55. The rapid live view and video autofocus in the A33 and A55 looks to be a hit among reviewers so far.
Essentially, this patent application presents the A55 in an NEX-5 body. It’s actually a design that should have been pretty easy to see coming. There’s nothing really new that’s not already in the A55 . . . Sony’s just taking out the parts that make it look like a DSLR and presenting it in a smaller package more akin to the NEX cameras we already know. And, it could very well be an Alpha mount camera in a compact shell, which would mean native functionality with Alpha lenses.
While I found the AF speed and accuracy in the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 to be quite acceptable, taking it up a notch or two wouldn’t hurt at all.
What do you think about this design? Would you be interested in an APS-C camera that is this compact and has DSLR-like AF speed?
[via PhotoRumors]
Below you will find this week’s firmware updates. Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.
Canon Rebel XS / 1000D version 1.0.7 – “Fixes a rare phenomenon in which “Cannot create folder” is displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor, after which shooting is no longer possible with the SD card in your camera.” [Canon Website]
Canon SX130 IS version 1.0.1.0 – “Fixes a phenomenon in which the audio and video get recorded out of sync when shooting movies with the image quality set to high definition (1280×720 pixels).” [Canon Website]
Sony NEX-3 / Sony NEX-5 version 03 – “Autofocus is now supported when using the NEX-5/NEX-3 with 14 lenses from the full range of A-mount optics by Sony and Carl Zeiss that includes telephotos, primes and zooms. Aperture settings can be maintained during HD movie recording, and system menu operation has been streamlined alongside other usability improvements. Registered NEX-5/NEX-3 owners will be advised of the free update via email.” [Sony Website]
Sony has announced a pink version of the NEX-3, along with a number of pink accessories. The camera should be available in Japan November 19. No word yet on US availability.
[Sony Japan via Engadget]
B&H has some solid deals in the form of a $150 rebate on the Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 when you pick up the two-lens kit with the 16mm and 18-55mm lenses.
Hit the links below for the deal that ends this month: