Canon EOS M3 Review

With an improved image sensor and image processor versus previous Canon mirrorless models, the M3 offers strong performance levels.  Canon

By Kyle Schurman

Updated August 31, 2016.

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The Bottom Line

Canon has not been a heavy contributor to the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (ILC) market, preferring to remain focused on DSLRs and fixed lens cameras. But as my Canon EOS M3 review shows, Canon's lack of cameras in this category doesn't mean the manufacturer isn't competing strongly in mirrorless models.

The mirrorless M3 offers an APS-C sized image sensor with 24.2 megapixels of resolution, giving it a significant advantage versus older M series Canon mirrorless ILCs in terms of image quality and overall resolution. Although the EOS M3 does struggle a bit when you're shooting in low light conditions, its very strong image quality when shooting in typical lighting is attention grabbing.

Another clear upgrade for the Canon M3 versus older mirrorless models from the manufacturer is in terms of its image processor, as Canon gave the M3 the DIGIC 6 processor. This gives the M3 fast performance levels, a noticeable improvement over its predecessor.

Its price is very competitive with other mirrorless ILCs on the market, making this a model well worth considering for those looking for an intermediate level camera. It doesn't have enough highly advanced features to appeal to someone seeking a professional level model, so those photographers may want to consider one of Canon's powerful, high-end DSLRs.

Specifications

Resolution: 24.2 megapixels

Optical zoom: NA, uses interchangeable lenses

LCD: 3.0-inch, 1,040,000 pixels (touch and tilt enabled)

Maximum image size: 6000 x 4000 pixels

Battery: Rechargeable Li-Ion

Dimensions: 4.37 x 2.68 x 1.75 inches

Weight: 12.9 ounces (including battery and memory card)

Image sensor: APS-C (22.3x14.9 mm)

Movie mode: HD 1080p

Pros

Great image quality in normal shooting situations

Small camera versus other intermediate models

Fast working camera in terms of autofocus and in speed of recovery between shots

Strong LCD screen that also offers touch and tilt capabilities

Good price point versus other mirrorless cameras

M3 creates very good movie quality, and HDMI port allows you to easily share video on a TV

Cons

Camera doesn't perform well when shooting at high ISO settings in low light scenes

Battery life could be better

Limited number of lenses available

Camera doesn't have image stabilization built into it

Viewfinder must be purchased as an extra accessory

Image Quality

With 24.2 megapixels of resolution and an APS-C sized image sensor, the Canon M3 creates vibrant and sharp images when the lighting conditions are good. Even though most cameras perform well in outdoor lighting, the Canon M3's images seem to be just a bit better than most cameras when the light is just right.

But if you must shoot in low light conditions, you unfortunately will notice some flaws in this camera's images. If you have to increase the ISO setting to 1600 or higher, you can expect to see noise in the images, which is a below average performance level. You can improve the image quality a bit by making use of the popup flash unit that's built into the camera or by attaching a flash to the M3's hot shoe.

You will have the option of making use of several special effect shooting modes on the EOS M3, which are fun to incorporate into your photos.

Movie quality is very good with this model, allowing you to create vibrant full HD movies. Audio quality is also strong with the M3, and you can use the included HDMI port to replay your movies on a nearby TV.

Performance

Because of the inclusion of the DIGIC 6 image processor with the EOS M3, Canon was able to provide top-end performance speeds with this model. The camera's autofocus works accurately and fast, resulting in little to no shutter lag. You won't miss many spontaneous shots when using the Canon M3. 

It was a disappointment to discover Canon did not include image stabilization capabilities into the camera body of the M3, meaning if you want to use IS with this camera, you'll need to make use of a lens that has image stabilization built into it.

Battery life is another area where the Canon M3 struggles a bit compared to other mirrorless cameras. Don't expect to shoot more than about 200 photos per charge, which is below average performance. And if you choose to make use of the M3's built-in Wi-Fi or NFC wireless connectivity options, battery life will be poor.

Design

Measuring only 1.75 inches in thickness (before you add the lens, of course), the Canon EOS M3 is even a small model versus other mirrorless ILCs. It's still pretty easy to hold and use comfortably though, as the camera body has a raised area on the front of the camera that serves as a right hand grip. Some mirrorless models skip a grip area, which can make them difficult to hold.

Another key design feature for the Canon M3 is its high quality LCD screen. You'll receive more than 1 million pixels of resolution with the display screen, making it one of the sharpest LCDs on any digital camera on the market. Additionally, the M3's display screen is a touch screen, which simplifies the operation of this camera, and is tiltable, which makes it easy to shoot odd angle photos or to use the M3 while it's attached to a tripod.

As a viewfinder is only available as an add-on feature with the M3, having a great LCD screen is very important.

Finally, Canon gave the EOS M3 a full complement of shooting modes, including various automatic and manual control modes. Although this will give you plenty of flexibility in how you want to use the M3, its overall feature list probably isn't quite powerful or extensive enough to appeal to advanced photographers.

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Source: Canon EOS M3 Review

The 7 Best Camera Cases and Bags to Buy in 2016

Buy from Amazon

Whether you're a pro or a hobbyist, carrying all your camera gear around is not a task to be taken lightly. Between frayed materials and effective storage, how and where your gear is situated can effect how good you are at your job. For that reason, you want something that is both rugged and well designed, but also lightweight and compact enough to sling over your shoulder — but not so small that you can't fit a bunch of cameras. Oh, and it should be affordable.

Well, OK, those are some serious prerequisites. But the ProTactic 350 AW Camera Backpack is probably the best option when it comes to meeting all those requirements. It can fit two pro DSLR cameras, up to six lenses and speed lights, a 13-inch laptop, a tripod and a number of accessories. It's a backpack design, meaning you can quickly sling it around for quick access. It includes a number of modular accessory pouches, dividers, a ventilated nylon exterior and an all-weather cover to protect your gear from rain. Check Amazon rating »

Source: The 7 Best Camera Cases and Bags to Buy in 2016

Sony's High-End Bridge Cameras Are Also A Threat To Canon And Nikon

I discussed last week that Sony Corp. (NYSE:SNE) has a bright future in cameras. I argued Sony is better off selling its smartphone business - and use the sales proceeds to increase its lead in mirrorless cameras and image sensors. This piece is again to reinforce my thesis why Sony needs to focus more on cameras, not on phones.

Realigning resources to increase its presence in digital cameras ought to be a priority for Sony. Unlike in the smartphone business where Sony competes with hundreds of Chinese firms, the digital camera industry is only dominated by less than a dozen companies.

It makes good business sense to go where Sony has less competition. Aside from Canon (NYSE:CAJ), Olympus (OTCPK:OCPNY), Fujifilm (FUJI), Pentax, and Nikon (OTCPK:NINOY), Sony has no other serious rivals in the DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera business.

Furthermore, Sony has an industry-leading image sensor technology. It also has the global brand power to seriously challenge Canon and Nikon. The digital camera business was also predicted to grow to a $19.77 billion/year industry by 2020.

Sony's Imaging Products & Solutions business segment can do better than its current $6.29 billion/year run rate if it could get a bigger slice of the coming $19.77 billion/year digital camera industry.

Click to enlarge

(Source: Statista)

Sony has remained a tiny player in the smartphone business. On the other hand, Sony remained as the no.1 brand in mirrorless cameras for four straight years. Sony was a pioneer when it released a full-frame mirrorless DSLR camera in 2013. Sony is also spearheading the rise of high-end bridge or fixed-lens SLR-style superzoom cameras.

The weather-sealed, 4K video recording-capable, 25x optical zoom-capable $1,500 Sony RX10 III bridge camera is the future of prosumer photography and videography. The superzoom/bridge category is Sony's fastest-growing camera segment last year. Sony expects high-zoom cameras to take 45% of the digital camera industry.

Superzoom bridge cameras belong to the fixed-lens category that still dominates sales of digital cameras. Yes, Sony's point-&-shoot compact digital camera is also dying from the rise of smartphones. However, the more expensive bridge camera category will still thrive for many years to come. A smartphone cannot replicate the 25x optical zoom feature and the image quality produced by a Sony RX10 III bridge camera.

Click to enlarge

(Source: Sony)

No photographer is ever going to use an iPhone 7 or Galaxy S7 as his main camera to do a wedding or fashion photo shoot job.

Why Sony Leads In Bridge Camera Design

A bridge camera has a DSLR-like size and user interface. It cannot use interchangeable lenses but instead uses a fixed lens with 20x or higher zoom feature. The selling point of a bridge camera is that it is an all-in-one tool that could be used for any purposes. Bridge cameras are good for macro, product photography, wide-angle landscape shoots, portraits, and weddings.

Prior to Sony's entry, the traditional practice was to build sub-$800 bridge superzoom cameras with small image sensors. They produce pictures with image quality that are not as good as those taken with interchangeable-lens DSLR cameras. Sony destroyed this old notion that bridge cameras should only serve as cheaper alternatives that would not match the image quality of interchangeable-lens DSLR cameras.

The 2013 debut (same year Sony released its mirrorless DSLR camera) of Sony's first high-end bridge camera, the mirror-based CyberShot DSC-RX10 was another trendsetter. The high-end image sensor, Bionz processor, Zeiss lens, weather-proof build quality of the RX10 III meant it was a true mid-range prosumer DSLR, but without the hassle of interchangeable lens.

Instead of using a small 1/2.3" image sensor and cheap superzoom lens, Sony decided to use its flagship 1-inch Exmor R BSI image sensor inside the RX10. It's the same sensor used in Sony's flagship mirrorless A7 DSLR. Sony also hired Carl Zeiss to build the superzoom lenses for its bridge cameras from the RX10-series. Sony's idea was to build a fixed-lens DSLR camera that entirely defeats the purpose of the interchangeable-lens DSLR and its required dozen of lenses.

The chart below illustrates why Sony changed the way bridge cameras should be built. The RX10 bridge camera has a 4x bigger image sensor than other bridge cameras. The larger the image sensor is, the better the picture quality is captured.

(Source: cameradecision.com)

The use of a much larger sensor and better zoom lens is why Sony can get away with a $1,500 price tag for its bridge cameras. Other bridge cameras made by Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Fujifilm are all in the $400-$900 price range. Those cameras have smaller sensors that cannot match the image quality of those pictures taken from a Sony-made bridge camera.

Five years from now, the notion of photographers buying a $1,500 prosumer DSLR camera and spending another $2,000-$3,000 for lenses will become obsolete. It will be more healthy and cost-effective for photographers to just buy Sony's revolutionary RX10 III superzoom (25x optical zoom) bridge camera. The f/2.4-4.0 aperture and 24-600mm versatility of the RX10 lll make it perfect for wedding, debut, event, sports photographers and photo-journalists.

I hope you understand the health risks that we photographers incur when carrying two or three DSLR cameras equipped with heavy (and pricey telephoto zoom Canon) lenses. A 600mm telephoto USM lens from Canon costs $11,499 and it weighs almost 4 kilograms.

Sony wants its high-end bridge camera as a healthy, cheaper, all-in-one solution for photographers.

Bridge Cameras Will Not Cannibalize Sales of Sony's Mirrorless DSLR Cameras

Yes, it is true that Sony sells $3k full-frame, interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras. Sony also sells its own brand of lenses for them. On the other hand, I do not think that the $1,500 bridge camera RX10 III will cannibalize sales of Sony's flagship A7-series of mirrorless DSLR cameras.

A bridge camera is a crop-frame camera and is therefore not a threat to mirrorless full-frame cameras. To learn more about the differences of crop and full-frame cameras, please go to this link.

The target customers for $1,500 bridge cameras are often not in the league of photographers who buy $3,000+++ full-frame cameras.

Sony is marketing its bridge cameras to a different crowd. People like me who struggle to make money (less than $20k/year gross revenue) on photography are the ideal customers for Sony-made bridge cameras.

I bought a Fujifilm f/2.8 10x zoom bridge camera in 2008 because it was useful for church-related photography services where flash guns are not allowed and changing lenses is often inconvenient. A bridge camera with a large image sensor for low-light photography and 10x/25x zoom is a must for small-time events photographers.

The mirrorless A7-series DSLR from Sony competes with Canon's Mark 5D-7D full-frame mirror-based DSLR products. The RX10-series bridge cameras compete with Canon and Nikon's sub-$2000 crop sensor cameras. Sony saw the opportunity in selling a high-end 24-600mm 25x zoom bridge camera that is far more useful than Canon's 80D or Nikon's D7200. Unlike Canon and Nikon's mid-range cameras, the Sony RX10 III is also a true 4K (3840 X 2160) video recording machine.

Sony's high-end bridge camera therefore also has long-term potential in the emerging market for home-based/small-budget 4K video production. There is a market for gadgets that could simultaneously serve the needs of photographers and 4K-only video producers. Sony's RX10-series of bridge cameras are ideal for people/small firms who create content for the growing population of 4K TV set owners.

The declining price tags of 4K TV sets mean there is a bigger need for content creators to produce more 4K videos/movies. Sony launched a YouTube channel for 4K video content creators last year. It has strong interest in jumpstarting home-based 4K video productions.

Cameras are integral to the overall 4K technology market that's predicted to grow to a $102.1 billion industry by Year 2020.

My Takeaway

I rate Sony as a Buy. Sony already benefits from Canon and Nikon's refusal to release true mirrorless DSLR cameras. Canon and Nikon are also both engaged in selling outdated bridge cameras with sub-par image sensors. Making high-end bridge cameras is simply Sony exploiting the other weakness of its chief rivals.

Canon and Nikon are certainly capable of producing a bridge camera to rival the RX10 III bridge camera. They only refuse to do so for fear of cannibalizing the sales of their own mid-range cameras (and the DSLR lenses for them).

There are few photographers who can afford $3k+++ cameras. I predict that Sony will sell more superzoom bridge cameras than its high-end mirrorless DSLR cameras. The future of mirror-based DSLR cameras is likely going towards Sony's vision in the RX10 III. The interchangeable-lens DSLR market that Canon and Nikon have made so much money from for decades, will gradually become smaller due to high-end bridge cameras from Sony.

Selling 300,000-600,000 bridge cameras (with an average selling price of $1,000) could add $300-$600 million to Sony's Imaging Products & Solutions division.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Editor's Note: This article covers one or more stocks trading at less than $1 per share and/or with less than a $100 million market cap. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.

Source: Sony's High-End Bridge Cameras Are Also A Threat To Canon And Nikon

Multiple new cameras registered at the Russian government agency Novacert

As I already reported, Canon is rumored to announce a new mirrorless camera most likely after the Photokina show next month. The Russian government agency Novacert has several new registrations for Canon cameras and at least two of them could be for new mirrorless models:

DS126651

Bluetooth · Wi-Fi equipped

Single-lens reflex camera

PC2258

SKU: 1279C002AA, 1279C012AA, 1279C022AA

Products: body lens kit lens kit 2

Color: one color

Bluetooth · Wi-Fi equipped (PDF document)

Mirror-less camera

PC2279

SKU: 1724C002AA, 1724C012AA, 1724C022AA, 1725C002AA, 1725C012AA, 1725C022AA

Products: body lens kit lens kit 2

Color: 2 colors

Mirror-less camera

PC2323

SKU: 1717C002AA, 1718C002AA

Color: 2 colors

Kondeji

PC2334 / PC2335

SKU: 1790C002AA, 1879C001AA

Color: 2 colors

Kondeji

PC2329 / PC2332

SKU: 1794C001AA, 1797C001AA, 1800C001AA

Color: three colors

Kondeji

PC2333

SKU: 1803C001AA, 1806C001AA, 1809C001AA

Color: three colors

Kondeji

Via Nokishita

Source: Multiple new cameras registered at the Russian government agency Novacert

fujifilm X-A3 camera next generation selfie feature retro design

aug 26, 2016

fujifilm X-A3 camera incorporates next generation selfie features in retro design

fujifilm has announced that it will launch the fujifilm 'X-A3′ in september 2016. the latest mirrorless camera has been designed to take 'self portraits' with a compact, lightweight and robust body. it joins the 'X-series' of mirrorless cameras that offer outstanding image quality with the company's proprietary color reproduction technology. to enable easy self-portraits, the camera features an LCD screen that can tilt 180 degrees without being blocked by the camera, thus helping to maintain 100% visibility. other features such as eye detection auto focus are designed to improve self-portraits shooting even further, and the new portrait enhancer mode includes the option to brighten the skin-tone.

video courtesy of FUJIFILMglobal

the 'X-A3′ combines a newly-developed 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor with the image processing engine to achieve fujifilm's photo quality. combined with the supplied 'fujinon' lens which delivers outstanding image quality with a subject's texture, form and even the atmosphere of the scene. the camera is particularly strong at reproducing skin tones, whereby people account for approximately 40% of all subjects in photography.

even when tilted by 180 degrees, the LCD is not blocked by the camera, allowing 100% visibility. the grip is shaped to accommodate normal shooting and self-portraits. when taking self portraits, focusing and releasing of the shutter can be done by pressing the vertical command dial which locates directly beneath the index finger, minimizing camera shake. rotating the tilting LCD upward by 180 degrees activates the eye detection AF to automatically adjust the focus on the subject's eyes. the portrait enhancer mode offers three-step adjustments with the new 'skin-tone brightening' function to enjoy self portraits of premium quality.

the 'X-A3′ adopts a retro design featuring a compact and lightweight body. the top cover, front plate and top dials are made of aluminum. the newly-developed faux leather has significantly enhanced the overall finish texture. the camera is available in three color options — silver, brown or pink. the LCD on the rear uses a touchscreen to enable 'touch AF', 'touch shoot' and 'touch zoom' with a pinch-out finger gesture, to use a prime lens as if it is a zoom lens.

 

the integrated 'APS-C' sensor delivers beautifully smooth bokeh effects for portraiture and macro shots when using a shallow depth of field. the normal sensitivity range covers ISO 200 to ISO 6400, while extended sensitivity settings of ISO 12800 and even ISO 25600 can be selected to minimize camera shake. the 'X-A3′ produces clear images with extremely low noise, even on low-light nightscapes and indoor shots where high ISOs are essential. the advanced filters help photographers easily produce creative effects. a total of ten advanced filters are available, including the new 'fisheye' and 'cross screen' as well as 'toy camera', 'miniature', 'dynamic tone', 'pop color', 'soft focus', 'high key', 'low key' and 'partial color'.

martin hislop I designboom

aug 26, 2016

Source: fujifilm X-A3 camera next generation selfie feature retro design

Panasonic: Wedding Photo Workshop at No Cost in South Salt Lake, UT, USA on August 27...

The following video presents Emerging Photography Markets in Portraits, PR, and Media with Charles & Jennifer Maring at WPPI 2015:"Frederick Van Johnson of This Week in Photo is joined by Photographers Charles and Jennifer Maring to discuss emerging trends in the professional photography market, and how photographers can use PR, marketing and social media to maximize business opportunities at Wedding & Portrait Photographers International 2015 in Las Vegas USA. LEARN MORE FROM THE LUMIX LOUNGE. http://bit.ly/lumixlounge2 #LumixLounge"

The Art of Success in Wedding Photography by Panasonic Luminary: Charles Maring FREE Admission Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM (MDT) Inkley's Photographic – 2121 State Street, South Salt Lake, UT 84115, United States – View Map Eventbrite Sign up Here http://bit.ly/ca_1

This event is a FREE wedding photo workshop.

Join Lumix Luminary Team member Charles Maring at the Inkley's Camera store in Salt Lake City for a seminar / workshop on Wedding Photography. Sponsored by Panasonic LUMIX.

"From weddings, portraits, and events for celebrity clients ….. Charles is on the move using cutting edge technology to bring stories and content to life."

For more info and to register for this FREE workshop, please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/success-in-wedding-photography-by-panasonic-luminarycharles-maring-tickets-26486865929 .

Enjoy!

Panasonic LUMIX GX8 and GX85

The following video presents Panasonic LUMIX Dual Image Stabilization Technology – How it Works:"Select Panasonic LUMIX G series cameras offer in body 4 and 5 axis image stabilization that works in combination with LUMIX G 2-axis optically stabilized lenses to achieve hand held stability like never before.Check out these  Cameras:LUMIX GX8 with 4 axis In body stabilization http://shop.panasonic.com/dual-isLUMIX GX85 with 5 axis in body stabilization even works in 4K video modeMore about in body image stabilization http://shop.panasonic.com/dual-is "

You can buy the Panasonic LUMIX GX8, and LUMIX GX85 at B&H (prices are in USD):

– Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-32mm Lens (Black)– Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-32mm Lens (Silver)

Source: Panasonic: Wedding Photo Workshop at No Cost in South Salt Lake, UT, USA on August 27...

Fujifilm’s new X-A3 is a selfie powerhouse

#Fujifilm #Camera – Fujifilm's new X-A3 is a selfie powerhouse : Fujifilm has announced the X-A3, a new version of the entry-level model in its X-series of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.

The X-A3 improves on its predecessor with a new 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, better autofocus, and a screen that flips up 180 degrees – that's five degrees better than the X-A2, a camera that was already tailor-made for selfies.

The company was apparently able to squeeze five more degrees out of the screen's rotation thanks to a new "slide-and-tilt mechanism," according to the press release, and should make it even easier to use at arm's length.

It's not the only part of the press release that Fujifilm tries to measure a new feature by its selfie-ability. The company's really pushing that angle with the X-A3, adding things like a new smile detection feature and a skin-tone brightening function to the face and eye detection features found on the X-A2.

Of course, not everyone is a selfie fanatic. But that shouldn't discourage you from the X-A3, which still appears to be a really good camera. Aside from the bigger 24.2-megapixel sensor, the X-A3 has a new 77-point autofocus system (with 49 points available in "Single Point" mode).

Fujifilm has also added more of its vaunted film simulations – PRO Neg.Hi and PRO Neg.Std, most notably – to bring the total number available on the X-A3 to 11. The Fujifilm X-A3 will be available in silver, brown, or pink this October. It will be sold with the 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OIS II kit lens for $599.

Alongside the X-A3, Fujifilm also announced a new wide angle prime lens. The XF 23mm f2 R WR, as it's called, will be compatible with all of Fujifilm's interchangeable lens X-series cameras.

It's weather and dust-resistant, and can focus in 0.05 seconds when used with the X-Pro2 and X-T2, according to Fujifilm. The new lens will be available in September for $449 – just in time for the release of the X-T2. Source: theverge

Source: Fujifilm's new X-A3 is a selfie powerhouse

New Canon EOS M Camera Could Be Launched By End Of 2016

The last time we saw Canon release a mirrorless camera was back in 2015 with the Canon EOS M3. So now that we're in 2016, does that mean we can expect a new mirrorless from Canon? According to the folks at Canon Rumors, the answer is yes, and that we will most likely be seeing it by the end of the year.

According to the report, the camera will be the successor to the EOS M3 of 2015, which we guess isn't a surprise. However it seems that Canon will be taking a page out of Samsung's book and will be skipping one generation, meaning that instead of the EOS M4, it will apparently be called the EOS M5. We don't know why they did that, but maybe it will be different enough to warrant skipping a generation.

The report goes on to add that in terms of ergonomics, there won't be any major changes meaning that for the most part, the design should remain relatively the same. It will also be adopting an APS-C sensor, and it will apparently be a bit more up market compared to the EOS M3.

Other than that, not much else is known about the camera, like will it support 4K video recording, are there any changes made to its display, and so on, so for now it's probably best to take it with a grain of salt, but check back in the coming weeks where hopefully more details will be revealed.

Filed in Photo-Video >Rumors. Read more about Canon, Digital Cameras and mirrorless cameras.

Source: New Canon EOS M Camera Could Be Launched By End Of 2016

Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Review

Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Review:

The Sony a6000 was one of the most popular mirrorless cameras out there, and usually when something is that admired, it can be quite difficult for a manufacturer to make a worthy replacement.  Well, it may have been difficult but that did not stop Sony from trying.  Earlier this year, they released the replacement for their APS-C flagship, the a6300.  It may look very similar to its predecessor but there are a lot of new upgrades under the hood.  But are these upgrades worth the new asking price, and do they make the a6300 competitive enough considering many of their competitors have also released new cameras?  Read on and find out!

Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Build Quality:

As some of you know, my primary APS-C mirrorless system as of now, is the Fuji X Series.  So, the Sony is definitely different for me but not in a bad way.  For one, I love the size of the a6300.  It's actually smaller than a Fuji X-E series body yet the a6300 comes with a 24mp sensor unlike the Fuji X-E2s' 16mp, for example.  Of course, megapixels aren't everything but the Sony a6300 is also pretty decently priced.  The list price is $998, and if you purchase it with the 16-50mm kit lens, it's only $1,148.  Yes, it's still over $1,000 but that's not bad when you consider other cameras with similar sensors, like the X-T2 and X-Pro2 for example, which are priced from $1,599 and $1,699 without lenses.

↑ The Sony a6300 with the 16-50mm kit lens.

↑ Back of the a6300.

Judging from the price, some may think that Sony skimped on something like build quality, for instance, but that's just not the case.  Thanks in part to it's magnesium alloy body, the a6300 is a very solid camera.  It definitely feels like the a6300 can take some punishment.  The a6300 is even sealed for dust and moisture resistance.  Furthermore, the seams are tight.  For instance, there is almost no gap between the pop up flash and the body, which is more aesthetic but I love the attention to the little details.  However, I did have one issue: I found it difficult to pull my memory card out because of where the slot was located, which is right next to the battery/memory card door.  It's too cramped in my opinion.  But on a better note, the location of the door is quite good; at least for my tripod set up, I could still open the door to access the battery and SD card while I had my tripod plate mounted to the a6300, which is not the case with my X-T1.

↑ I found it a little difficult pulling the SD card out because of its location.

To top off build quality, the camera is just plain out comfortable to hold and use.  Having a small camera is great but if it feels awkward to hold, it's just not worth it in the long run.  The a6300's grip offers excellent stability and support making up a bit, in my opinion, for the lack of in-body image stabilization.  The camera overall also feels very well balanced.  Obviously, if you have a longer lens on it, you'll still get that front heaviness but it's not as bad as some other mirrorless cameras I've used before.

In terms of the controls, buttons, and knobs, they are well-placed for the most part.  It's great that the Mode Dial, and the Control Dial are recessed in the body to help prevent accidental adjustments, although the truth is, the dials are so tight already that there's absolutely no need in my opinion.  I particularly love how tight feeling the dials are, and this is one characteristic that I would love to see on the EV Compensation Dial of my Fuji X-T1.

↑ Here's a view of the top plate.

There were only two issues I had with the controls.  One is I think the menu could be a little more straightforward.  I had some difficulty finding things.  The other issue I had was with the Movie Button, which actually surprised me a bit because I thought I wouldn't have a problem with it judging by the location of it, which is right in the back of the grip.  While it was recessed in the grip, I still hit it occasionally, which caused me to record in movie mode unknowingly.

↑ Even though it is recessed in, I accidentally pressed the record button occasionally.

Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Key Features:

Nowadays there are tons of features in cameras but we all know about the miscellaneous features like the different jpeg settings for instance.  So, instead of writing a long-winded review where I'll put most of you to sleep, I will just concentrated on what I think makes the a6300 such a great little camera.

Sony a6300 Electronic Viewfinder and LCD Display:

For one, like most mirrorless cameras, the Sony a6300 comes with an electronic viewfinder.  These days, EVFs have come a long way, and so Sony really had to up their game, especially since the a6000 only had a 1.4 million dot EVF .  This time around, Sony has included the 2.4 million dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder in the a6300, and the results are fantastic.  It's up to par with pretty much everything out there in its class, and it works so well, that there's nothing really major to complain about; it has plenty of resolution to see even the littlest details, it's high contrast, and the colors come out superbly.  It even has a mode that allows display of images at 120 fps.  The EVF is good enough that I actually ended up previewing my images more through the EVF than the LCD screen.

Speaking of the LCD monitor, it's a 921,600 dot display, and while the resolution isn't anything really special when you compare it to its competition, it is still accurate and good enough for previewing and checking your images.  It has a tilting function but here's the thing: it has no touch screen.  This is surprising to me considering many manufacturers are now including more and more touch screens with their cameras.  Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of touch screens except for the one on the Hasselblad X1D.  I just find them more annoying then useful but again, that's just me.  There are plenty of people, like my brother in-law for instance, that love them, so I'm really surprised that Sony did not add this feature in the a6300.  For those like me who don't really care for it, it would've been easy to just turn it off.

↑ The a6300 comes with a tilt screen.

Sony a6300 Autofocus System:

With so much good press about the Sony a6300's autofocus capabilities, I must admit that I had high expectations.  The specs alone are pretty impressive.  The 4D FOCUS, as Sony calls it, can lock onto a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds.  There are 425 phase detection AF points all over the entire image area, and the a6300 can shoot up to 11 frames per second with continuous autofocus, and exposure tracking.  Additionally, you can produce a real-time shooting experience that combines all the benefits of an EVF with the the feel of an OVF shooting up to 8 frames per second.  So, were my high expectations fulfilled?  Well, for the most part, that's a big fat yes.

The autofocus was very fast, and truthfully, I had absolutely no major issues with it.  Nothing is 100% but the autofocus, and it's accuracy here are pretty darn close.  The autofocus system is definitely one of the best in its class, and possibly several classes above.  When I was in London, which is where I primarily reviewed this camera, I ran into all types of different scenarios, and the Sony a6300 did great.  For example, there was a bike event, and it did an amazing job tracking the bikers.  Looking back at the images, there were a few that were off in terms of focus but it was such a tiny percentage that to me, it's insignificant.  Furthermore, I found autofocus speed, and accuracy to be very good at night, even without the AF assist light on.  In fact, I ended up not even using the AF assist light.

↑ The a6300's autofocus has no problems locking onto quick subjects.

Other Sony a6300 Key Features:

In addition to the features I've just mentioned, there are other great ones like Wi-Fi capability.  You can simply download the Sony PlayMemories Mobile app for either Android or iOS.  The a6300 also supports QR code for connecting to non-NFC smart phones.

In addition to the Wi-Fi capability, there's also a leveler, which while is a common feature in many other mirrorless cameras, is still a welcomed addition to the a6300.  There's 4K video support with full pixel readout and no pixel binning in the popular Super 35mm format.  Lastly, there is a Silent Mode, which I found particularly useful.

Battery life is stated to be around 350-400 shots, which is about what I got out of the camera actually.  When I was in London, I actually only brought one battery, and most of the days, it was good enough.  There were one or two days where I took a lot of photos, so I had to make a quick charge during the day but I feel Sony's estimates are definitely correct.

Overall, the Sony a6300 is a feature intensive camera but one feature that I think would benefit users in this camera is a dual card slot.  I won't count this against the a6300 because there are cameras in its class that also have only one card slot but at the same time, things are changing.  There are cameras that are adding that extra memory card slot, so it would be nice to see it on the Sony.

↑ The a6300 is compact yet it has a ton of useful features.

Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Image Quality:

In addition to all the great features, the Sony a6300 is also equipped with a 24.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor that works with the BIONZ X image processor engine to give its user superb image quality.  Color rendering and contrast are great.  Images are sharp, and the camera's high ISO capabilities are excellent, so no one should have any problems using this camera in all kinds of situations.  Bottom line is I have no doubt in my mind that this sensor can be used for professional work, and if you pair it up with some good glass, you'll have some really killer images.

↑ This was taken with the 10-18mm f4 using 400 ISO at f8 1/100s.

↑ This was taken with the 10-18mm f4 using 100 ISO at f11 1/125s.

↑ This was taken with the 10-18mm f4 using 400 ISO at f8 1/250s.

↑ The London Eye: 1/640s 100 ISO f7.1.

I usually don't talk too much about in camera jpegs, since I shoot raw but in this case, it's also worth mentioning that I found them to be quite excellent.  In fact, I found myself liking how they turned out even more than the Fuji out of camera jpegs, which I've always said were up there with the best.  Of course, this is my personal preference but to me, the Sony jpegs just look very natural and true to the scene.  They're sharp, have nice contrast, and the color rendering is very accurate.  What really also helped me like the jpegs so much was the auto white balance, which was surprisingly accurate or at least close to what it should be even in complicated situations.  The only issue I had was that I noticed a bit of underexposure mostly by about a half stop but occasionally close to one stop.  But that is easily fixable either in your raw program or making an adjustment in the camera.

↑ I used the 35mm f1.8 to take this: f1.8 1/1000s 100 ISO.

↑ The Tower of London taken with the 10-18mm f4.  My settings were 100 ISO at f16 1/40s.

↑ The Covent Garden Market Place was such a nice area to visit.  My settings were 640 ISO f11 1/200s.

↑ The Tower Bridge taken with the 16-50mm kit lens.  My settings were 800 ISO f11 1/320s.

As I said before, the a6300's high ISO capabilities are great, so obtaining the excellent image quality from this camera doesn't just stop once the sun goes down.  With a range of 100 to 25,600 ISO, and the ability to expand to 51,200 ISO, the Sony a6300 is definitely up to par with the competition.  Noise levels are very well controlled even up to 6400 ISO, so you can feel free to shoot to your heart's content in many different situations, especially if you have fast lenses.  Once you hit 12,800 ISO though, that's when you see more of a significant change but even then, images are useable depending on proper exposure.

↑ Here's a photo taken at 3200 ISO.  As you can see, it's pretty clean.

↑ 6400 ISO is definitely useable as well.

↑ Once you get to 12,800 ISO, noise definitely starts to pick up.

 ↑ Here's an example taken at 25,600 ISO.

Sony a6300 With The 16-50mm Kit lens:

Now, if you've read this far then you're probably pretty interested in purchasing the a6300 but if you're new to the Sony system, it can be expensive when you consider that you'll need a lens with the a6300.  Well, a great way to start is by purchasing the a6300 with the 16-50mm kit lens.  I fully admit that it isn't the best lens that Sony has to offer.  It's slow, and I don't like the electronic zoom.  However, this lens isn't that bad either.  It's still sharp, contrast is good, and while there is slight vignetting at its widest apertures (it's not a fixed aperture lens), it disappears pretty quickly once you stop down a bit.  Plus, it's a very cheap way to get a lens for the a6300.  As I mentioned earlier, the a6300 is $998, and with the zoom, it is $1148. That's only a $150 difference, and you're getting a lens that will give you a pretty decent focal range.

↑ Here's a photo taken with the 16-50mm at the 41mm focal length.  My settings were f8 100 ISO 1/160s.

↑ Here's a photo with the kit lens set at 27mm.  My settings were f8 1/160s 100 ISO.

↑ Here's a photo taken with the kit lens set at 50mm.  This was taken wide open at f5.6, and my settings were 3200 ISO 1/250s.

↑ Here's one more photo with the kit lens set at 41mm.  My settings were f11 1/400s 640 ISO.

Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Pros and Cons: Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Pros:

Compact.

Well-built.

Comfortable to use and hold.

Excellent EVF.

Blazingly fast autofocus.

Tons of features including 4K.

Superb image quality.

Great high ISO capabilities.

Price competitively.

Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Pros:

Menu is not as straightforward as I would like.

Memory card is a little difficult to pull out.

No touch screen.

Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Verdict:

If you're looking for a versatile camera for a broad range of shooting conditions that's also priced competitively, the Sony a6300 is hard to beat.  It's compact, and light, so it's discreet, and easy to carry around all day.  The a6300 is also built well, so it can take its fair share of abuse.  It's features like the excellent EVF, the 4K video capabilities, blazingly fast autofocus, and of course, the image quality really make this camera well-rounded.  To me, not only do I think it's worth paying more to get it over its predecessor, it's definitely on par with its competition.  Of course, nothing is perfect, and while the a6300 does have its issues, I don't think any of them are significant enough to really hamper the overall performance.  The bottom line is the a6300 is an extremely well-rounded camera that can take on many different kinds of challenges, and like many of its mirrorless competitors, it can produce you some amazing results.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!  If you're considering purchasing the a6300, and my review helped you decide, please help support this site by purchasing from any of the links in this review.  It will not cost you anything extra.  Thank you for your support!

Sony a6300 at B&H Photo

Sony a6300 with 16-50mm kit lens at B&H Photo

Source: Sony a6300 Mirrorless Camera Review

Breaking the format

Next-gen: Hasselblad announces the groundbreaking X1D

Hasselblad's new mirrorless creation could be a pioneer among next-gen cameras

Hasselblad has just introduced what could be a gold standard in the digital camera universe — the X1D is the first compact mirrorless medium format camera to be released in the market. This means that you can grab the perfect stills of your favourite holiday locales, be it at Machu Picchu or the French Riviera. Every detail and aspect, from natural hues to the lighting that is unique to each locale can now be magnified with this amazing camera. Its features are especially crafted to suit the needs of the chronic outdoor shutterbug, thanks to its incredibly small size. It measures 150.4 mm x 98.1 mm x 71.4 mm and weighs just 725 grams, which may be bigger than a standard DSLR, but it more than makes up for it in terms of capabilities, namely the lens!

An add-on lens may add some mass to the ensemble but it still does far better than full-frame models, while offering the capabilities and results that the latter do. The X1D comes very close to offering what the Sony A7R II does as well, but easily wins over it, due to it being lighter, more compact size.

Armed with an incredible 50-megapixel CMOS sensor, which is clearly among the biggest to be found in a medium-format shooter, you can be assured that each pixel captured has appropriate light gathered and goes on to construct stills. For shutterbugs who are time-insensitive when it comes to photography, the X1D also captures stunning images with a greater dynamic range and is rather impressive when challenged with low-lit photography. It can capture up to 14 stops of dynamic range and offers an ISO range of 100 to 25,600. This makes it a great capture tool, especially for intermediate photographers who could do with a more compact piece around their necks.

Another interesting aspect of the Hasselblad X1D is the electronic viewfinder, which is considered commonplace in cameras of this genre. The subject can be monitored conveniently on a three-inch touchscreen LCD that offers a generous 920k resolution. This reminds one of the brand's bigger H6 variant to a large extent. However, the X1D does throw in a pair of SD slots, WiFi, GPS and shoots videos at 1080p. The slow boot-up and card storage speeds makes one thing clear - the X1D isn't for sports photography.

Given that it is designed to be an avid traveller's companion, the X1D is built for ruggedness. It can do a fair job keeping dust and moisture at bay. Hasselblad is sweetening the deal by offering two autofocus lenses that will be sold as standalone accessories. Both, the 45 mm and the 90 mm lenses, come with integrated shutter mechanisms and can shoot up to 1/2000th of a second.

As expected, the Hasselblad X1D doesn't come cheap. While we do not have an India-specific pricing at the time this was written, the body is priced at $8,995 (around ₹6,00,500). For those seeking a compact mirrorless camera, the price wouldn't be a benchmark as much as the advantages of this compact shooter could ever be. This could truly be a momentous launch for the Swedish brand which has entered its 75th year, and has a history of producing remarkable cameras.

(This article was published on August 22, 2016)

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Source: Breaking the format

MirrorLessons has expanded: introducing “Mirrorless Comparison”

Over the past three years, we have learned so much: not just about photography and the cameras we use on a daily basis but also about blogging, running a professional website, and most importantly, what kind of content our readers enjoy the most.

Every new project involves trial and error, mistakes, new ideas, satisfaction and (hopefully!) success. And like any serious young business, we often feel the need to evolve, to invest and to try something new. And that is exactly what is happening now.

Today we are officially inaugurating a new blog called Mirrorless Comparison that is joining our existing blogs: MirrorLessons and Mirrorless Curation. Curious? Then keep reading!

About Mirrorless Comparison Our brand new website!

Mirrorless Comparison came into being because we wanted to transform the comparison section of MirrorLessons into a brand new platform. It is an idea that has been swimming around in our heads since 2014 and we now feel it is the right time to bring that idea to life.

(To tell the truth, we already started working on it a month ago but we wanted to let the website grow a little before announcing it officially!)

As many of you already know, mirrorless cameras have evolved very quickly over the past three years. This means that today, photographers – both amateur and professional – have far more choice than ever before. On one hand, this is great news because it is more likely you'll find the perfect model for your needs, but on the other, it also breeds confusion and indecisiveness.

We receive questions about which camera to choose in our inbox all the time. What's more, we follow various social media communities and see users constantly switching, not only from a DLSR to a mirrorless system but also between mirrorless systems. I've even seen people buy into two systems because they can't figure out which is best.

This is the main reason we built Mirrorless Comparison – to help those who are confused by the sheer amount of choice there is today. You won't find side-by-side columns filled with specifications. What you will find is the same kind of in-depth comparisons we have been publishing on MirrorLessons up until now, with even more content including in-depth comparisons between competing models, unusual "apples vs oranges" comparisons that compare unlikely rivals, comparison "previews" when new models are announced, comparative image galleries, and more.

The goal of these comparisons isn't just to demonstrate the ways in which a new model is better than its predecessor. It is also to show you that the camera that you own right now might be still enough for your needs (meaning that you can worry about upgrading further down the line!).

What happens to MirrorLessons and its "Comparisons" section?

On MirrorLessons, you will continue to find new camera, lens and accessory reviews written with the same dedication and hands-on experience as always. Our aim is to add more interviews, guest posts and content that focuses on "photography" instead of just the gear in the future as well.

As for its comparison section, it will remain online and accessible from the main navigation menu so that the older articles don't get lost. However from now on, every new comparison article will be published on the new website.

The best way to follow everything

As always, you have the social network way: our social accounts are the same for all three websites (one Facebook page, one Twitter account, one Google+ profile, one Youtube channel).

The second way is to subscribe to our newsletters: you can choose which website you want to follow (all of them, three, two or just one). You can find the subscription form and links on each website.

Last but not least: it's still us! This means we will keep answering your emails, Facebook messages and tweets. Sometimes it takes a lot of time, but we enjoy supporting our readers in any way that we can.

Mirrorless Comparison is online and already includes 12 articles. A few of them have been transferred from MirrorLessons (just to give it a head start) but 9 of them are brand new.

Are you ready to visit Mirrorless Comparison? Then click here! And don't forget to tell us what you think.

Like our blog? Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you're planning on buying camera gear, you can check out Amazon, B&H Photo and PhotoMADD. Prices remain the same for you, but a small percentage of your purchase value is valued back to us. Thank you!

About the author: Mathieu Gasquet

Mathieu Gasquet is a professional photographer with French and Italian origins. Besides running his own video and photography studio 3Dit Lab, he is also the official photographer for the National Cinema Museum in Turin. You can follow him on Google+, Twitter or Facebook!

Source: MirrorLessons has expanded: introducing "Mirrorless Comparison"

Alleged Photos Of Fujifilm X-A3 Camera Leaked

If maybe the Fujifilm X-Pro2 and the X-T2 mirrorless cameras are a little out of your price range, not to worry as Fujifilm does have other cameras that are part of its lineup. In fact we could be hearing an announcement soon for a certain Fujifilm X-A3, whose photos have been leaked thanks to Nokishita Camera (via Photo Rumors).

As you can tell from the photos, the X-A3 doesn't exactly have the same high-end look as the X-Pro2 or the X-T2, however like we said, its price is probably what will attract photographers looking for a mirrorless camera. The official pricing has yet to be revealed but assuming it will be priced similarly to the X-A2, it shouldn't really break the bank.

As for the specifications, the X-A3 is rumored to sport a 24.3MP APS-C sensor. It will also come with a 3-inch touchscreen LCD display that can tilt 180-degrees, meaning that if you wanted to snap some selfies it should not be a problem. We are also looking a Full HD video capture capabilities, built-in WiFI, 10 advanced filters, 11 film simulation modes, and a battery that should last you around 410 shots.

As for its official announcement, there's really no telling when, but given that the leaks have already begun hopefully we are not too far away from learning about the camera in an official capacity.

Filed in Photo-Video >Rumors. Read more about Digital Cameras, Fujifilm and mirrorless cameras.

Source: Alleged Photos Of Fujifilm X-A3 Camera Leaked

Picture This: Panasonic Launches LUMIX GX85

Panasonic introduced its new DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) camera, the LUMIX GX85, which shoots vibrant, high quality images using a new 5-axis Dual Image Stabilizer and an electromagnetic shutter drive. LUMIX GX85 records high-resolution 4K video with 8 MP photo extraction and captures 4K photos using three exclusive modes including 4K Burst, 4K Burst (Start/Stop), and 4K Pre-burst.

Even better, LUMIX GX85 enables 4K Live Cropping during video recording. It also integrates Wi-Fi connectivity for instant image sharing. Once you connect the camera to a smartphone or tablet, installing the Panasonic Image App is simple and allows you to shoot, browse and share images remotely. For even more creative photography, the LUMIX GX85 integrates a new L. Monochrome mode, which produces pictures with rich gradation like that of a B/W film. The other new additions are Focus Bracket and Aperture Bracket, which allow you to choose your best shots after you've taken them. LUMIX GX85 packs a host of advanced technologies in a light and compact body, which means you'd want to take it wherever you go.

Related: Picture This: Canon's New Entry-Level EOS DSLR

Source: Picture This: Panasonic Launches LUMIX GX85

Samyang AF 14mm F2.8 for Sony E-mount set to ship in September

Published Aug 18, 2016|dpreview staff

Samyang Optics has completed its launch of five new lenses over the summer with the announcement that its full-frame 14mm F2.8 autofocus lens for Sony E-mount is ready to hit stores.

The Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE, as it is known, includes 14 elements in 10 groups, 3 of which being aspherical and two extra-low dispersion. The lens has nearly a 114° field-of-view when mounted to a full-frame body and about 90° on a crop body. The 14mm has a minimum focus distance of 20cm/7.9in and sports 7 circular aperture blades.

The lens will be available in September for €699. US and UK pricing was not available at press time.

Press release:

August 15th, 2016, Seoul, Korea – The global optics brand, Samyang Optics (http://www. samyanglensglobal.com) today announced the long-awaited release of autofocus lens: 14mm F2.8 for Sony E mount Mirrorless cameras with full frame sensor size. The new Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE is the widest lens in its class offering superb quality images to photographers. This launch follows the recent availability announcement of Samyang AF 50/1.4 FE.

Optimised Optical Design for Full Frame Mirrorless Camera LensSamyang AF 14/2.8 FE is specifically designed to work in harmony with full frame mirrorless cameras in Sony E mount. The flow of light is devised based on the uniqueness of the distance from glass to sensor in mirrorless cameras to create optimal performance. Along with portability of mirrorless lenses, the 14mm F2.8 is compatible with full frame sensors to deliver the wideness and sharpness of image to photographers.

The 14mm F2.8 is the widest angle available in the market in its class, broadening the sight of photographers to capture the world. Based on Samyang Optics' exceptional optical technology, Ultra Multi Coating and three aspherical lenses have been included among 14 glasses in 10 groups to minimise aberration and unnecessary light dispersion, delivering high resolution from the centre to the corners of the image.

AF Performance and Ergonomic Design Based on Class-Leading TechnologyThis new product will be one of the first autofocus lenses in over 40 years of Samyang's class-leading core optics technologies. Samyang has captured the essence of world leading image technology with their manual focus lenses and reinterpreted it into autofocus lenses. Photographers now can enjoy the prime manual lens image quality and autofocus lens. Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE is compatible with both phase detect and contrast detect sensors to operate fast and accurate focus detection.

The 86mm of maximum diameter is also the result of years of R&D for best handling, by adding stability. Also the minimal and sleek design and metal-housing solidify the build quality with the internal focus system.

Available from September 2016This launching expands the boundaries of Samyang Optics photo lens line-up from manual focus only, to now include autofocus lenses. With the addition of 14mm to 50mm, Samyang now has two autofocus lenses along with 39 manual focus photo & cine lenses and 6 professional cine lenses, XEEN. The lens will be globally available from September, and the suggested retail price is EUR 699.

More information will be released soon on Samyang Optics official website (http://www.samyanglensglobal.com), Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/samyanglensglobal) and Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/samyanglensglobal).

Samyang AF 14mm F2.8 specifications Principal specifications Lens type Prime lens Max Format size 35mm FF Focal length 14 mm Image stabilization No Lens mount Sony FE Aperture Maximum aperture F2.8 Minimum aperture F22 Aperture ring No Number of diaphragm blades 7 Optics Elements 14 Groups 10 Special elements / coatings 3 aspherical elements + Ultra Multi Coating Focus Minimum focus 0.20 m (7.87″) Maximum magnification 0.12× Autofocus Yes Focus method Internal Distance scale No DoF scale No Physical Weight 505 g (1.11 lb) Diameter 86 mm (3.37″) Length 98 mm (3.84″) Sealing No Colour Black Hood supplied Yes Tripod collar No

Source link

Source: Samyang AF 14mm F2.8 for Sony E-mount set to ship in September

Now we now it: No new Canon EOS-M camera or lens at Photokina :(

Now we now it: No new Canon EOS-M camera or lens at Photokina :( - mirrorlessrumors

There is a big letdown news for those who expected to get some advanced new Canon EOS-M or maybe even a FF mirrorless system camera. Digicameinfo got their hands on the list of products that will be announced at the Photokina. And nope, there is no new mirrorless camera nor a lens for the EOS-M system.

To keep dreams alive I will repost that rendering image of a Canon FF mirrorless camera from David Riesenberg. You know just to keep alive our hopes…

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Source: Now we now it: No new Canon EOS-M camera or lens at Photokina :(

Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 FE Lens Announced

August 15th, 2016, Seoul, Korea – The global optics brand, Samyang Optics (http://www.samyanglensglobal.com) today announced the long-awaited release of autofocus lens: 14mm F2.8 for Sony E mount Mirrorless cameras with full frame sensor size. The new Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE is the widest lens in its class offering superb quality images to photographers. This launch follows the recent availability announcement of Samyang AF 50/1.4 FE.

Optimised Optical Design for Full Frame Mirrorless Camera LensSamyang AF 14/2.8 FE is specifically designed to work in harmony with full frame mirrorless cameras in Sony E mount. The flow of light is devised based on the uniqueness of the distance from glass to sensor in mirrorless cameras to create optimal performance. Along with portability of mirrorless lenses, the 14mm F2.8 is compatible with full frame sensors to deliver the wideness and sharpness of image to photographers. 

The 14mm F2.8 is the widest angle available in the market in its class, broadening the sight of photographers to capture the world. Based on Samyang Optics' exceptional optical technology, Ultra Multi Coating and three aspherical lenses have been included among 14 glasses in 10 groups to minimise aberration and unnecessary light dispersion, delivering high resolution from the centre to the corners of the image.

AF Performance and Ergonomic Design Based on Class-Leading TechnologyThis new product will be one of the first autofocus lenses in over 40 years of Samyang's class-leading core optics technologies. Samyang has captured the essence of world leading image technology with their manual focus lenses and reinterpreted it into autofocus lenses. Photographers now can enjoy the prime manual lens image quality and autofocus lens. Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE is compatible with both phase detect and contrast detect sensors to operate fast and accurate focus detection. 

The 86mm of maximum diameter is also the result of years of R&D for best handling, by adding stability. Also the minimal and sleek design and metal-housing solidify the build quality with the internal focus system.

Available from September 2016This launching expands the boundaries of Samyang Optics photo lens line-up from manual focus only, to now include autofocus lenses. With the addition of 14mm to 50mm, Samyang now has two autofocus lenses along with 39 manual focus photo & cine lenses and 6 professional cine lenses, XEEN. The lens will be globally available from September, and the suggested retail price is EUR 699.

Via Samyang and Samyang

Source: Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 FE Lens Announced

Choosing a Camera

When you're in the market for a camera there are oodles of things to consider and questions to ask yourself before investing in such an expensive tool. Ask yourself why you want a camera, what kind of moments are you trying to capture. Are you a world traveller? A live music enthusiast? A DIY blogger? ;)

I encourage you to do lots of research about the cameras you are interested in. Read reviews, even watch some unboxing videos. One of my favorite resources for gear reviews is DPReview - I'm pretty sure there isn't a camera, lens, flash, or battery under the sun that they haven't reviewed. There can be a lot of variation in user experience depending on how the camera is trying to be used, so pay attention to how others have used the camera you are researching, and what kind of images reviewers have made with that camera.

Here is a guided list to help you decide what kind of camera is best for you.

Level of commitment

Are you new to photography? Unsure what kind of photographs you want to make? If you're just getting started, breaking the bank for a camera probably isn't worth it. I didn't buy a DSLR until my third year of art school, it wasn't until then that IKNEW that I was going to make photographs forever, thus was ready to embark upon that level of investment for storytelling and image making. Albeit, DSLRs are a lot less expensive than they were 12 years ago, but a DSLR is a commitment to learning how to use the camera as a tool. Not ready to take that kind of plunge? There are some amazing point and shoot cameras available, with loads of settings to explore to get you started with digital photography.

In recent years, I have become a bigger and bigger fan of mirrorless camera systems. Mirrorless cameras are a good middle of the road camera that can be very capable. You get the compactness of a point and shoot camera, but with some of the custom functionality of a larger DSLR. Most of these cameras even have an interchangeable lens system that doesn't break the bank!

Where are you making your photographs?

If you are planning a rafting trip, you probably don't want to use a super expensive camera, with custom underwater housing to protect it from the probable droplets of water that will get on it, potentially shorting the electronics in your camera. Instead, maybe opt for an affordable underwater camera. Underwater cameras are pretty unbeatable, you have to sacrifice sensor size for rugged durability, but for a camera that can stand up to the elements, underwater point-and-shoots are the way to go.

Alternatively, if you are setting up a location with controlled lighting to take pictures of retail goods, and want a consistent and controllable aesthetic, you're probably better off working with a tripod-mounted Mirrorless or DSLR camera.

The lens and battery are the heaviest parts of your camera, so if you are going on a hike, and don't want to lug your big camera in your pack opt for a point-and-shoot or mirrorless camera to lighten your load. My go-to on-the-go rig is a mirrorless camera with a pancake lens. This means it has a slim profile and is super lightweight.

MegaPixels vs. Sensor Size

Understanding megapixels and image resolution can be a huge benefit to your decision to buy a camera. What is a megapixel anyways? Megapixels refer to the camera's ability to render images of different dimensions, and how many pixels per inch you will be able to print. For example, your average smartphone camera has an 8-megapixel camera. This means that the image dimension has a surface area of about 8 million pixels that have interpreted light into a photograph. Megapixels are calculated by multiplying the width and height of the image rendered. An 8MP photo is 3264 pixels wide and 2448 pixels high contains an area of 7,990,272 pixels of light-data interpreted into a photograph.

This chart demonstrates how megapixels and resolution scale in correlation to printing.

Camera sensors are advertised to have anywhere from 3-50 megapixels, and while you may think that a high megapixel count is better, that is not always the case.

Images with a small sensor and a high megapixel count won't render as nice of a high-quality image as a camera with a larger sensor size and lower megapixels. When using a camera with a smaller sensor, like with a smartphone, the photo-sensing pixels can't capture as much light, and your details become 'noisy'. When a sensor is larger, the image details are captured more accurately because there is literally more physical space on the sensor to interpret the light.

Where do you want your images to go?

If you are hoping to buy a camera so that you may print your photos to give as gifts, or enlarge as art pieces, it is imperative to use a camera that has some advanced control over file size and color in the camera. Point-and-shoots are great for quick snaps that will just be published to the web, but if you are hoping to share your images as high-quality prints look towards a mirrorless or prosumer DSLR.

Video

Some cameras have a dedicated video mode, so if you would like to capture video footage as well as photographs, look for a camera that is video-capable.

Source: Choosing a Camera