Category Archives: News

News

94x zoom lens patented—is a Canon SX100 planned?

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By Mike Tomkins, December 27, 2013 (http://www.imaging-resource.com)

Photographers looking for the ultimate in image quality might avoid zoom lenses like the plague, but the popularity of increasingly long-zoom cameras suggests that some people just can’t get enough telephoto reach. If you’re in their number, you may find the promise of a recent patent filing by Canon Japan to be rather thrilling.

Admittedly, most patents make for somewhat dry reading, but this one, uncovered by Japanese engineering blog Egami, suggests that Canon could soon offer a camera with close to a 100x zoom range. (Given that the existing Canon SX50 HS sports a ~50x zoom, Egami cheekily suggests the name Canon SX100 HS for a followup, tagging its image on the lens diagram with the moniker.)

Full article at the source>

Cameras becoming part of police’s uniform

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By  Lori Kurtzman The Columbus Dispatch Dec.15, 2013 (http://www.dispatch.com/)

The police officer rounds the corner of the house, his flashlight searching out the young girl standing quietly on the back deck. She is 10 and barefoot and holding a butcher knife.

“Can you put the knife down for me?” the Greensboro, N.C., cop asks. The girl is still. “Can you lay the knife down?”

Without warning, she hurls the blade like a dart. The officer ducks. His partner walks quickly across the deck and snaps handcuffs on the girl’s wrists, and what he says next — to the girl who just threw a knife at a police officer — might be unbelievable if the entire incident hadn’t been recorded.

“You OK, honey?”

Full article at source>

2013 Best Cameras. Find the Top Cameras Released in 2013

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By  (http://cameras.about.com/)

2013 was another very good year for digital cameras, with plenty of innovations. As they have for several years, prices continue to drop, giving photographers more value for their dollars. Advanced fixed-lens cameras have been especially plentiful from manufacturers, offering a clear set of advantages over point-and-shoot models and cell phone cameras. Interchangeable lens camera, both DIL and DSLR models, also have been popular in 2013.

Having had a chance to fully test and review several cameras during the year, and having had a chance to informally test and consider dozens more models, here are some of the best cameras I’ve seen during 2013.

Full article at source>

Click! Google rebuilds Android camera base for better photos

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Rebuilt software plumbing in Android should give new power to camera apps — once Google makes the interface available to other programmers besides its own.

by Stephen Shankland. November 25th, 2013 (http://news.cnet.com)

Want a better camera on your Android device? Google does, too.

For that reason, the company has overhauled the mobile OS’s plumbing. Google has built deep into Android support for two higher-end photography features — raw image formats and burst mode — and could expose those features so that programmers could tap into them, the company said.

Evidence of raw and burst-mode photos in the Android source code surfaced earlier in November, but Google has now commented on the technology. Specifically, spokeswoman Gina Scigliano said the support is now present in Android’s hardware abstraction layer (HAL), the part of the operating system that handles communications with a mobile device’s actual hardware.

“Android’s latest camera HAL (hardware abstraction layer) and framework supports raw and burst-mode photography,” Scigliano said. “We will expose a developer API [application programming interface] in a future release to expose more of the HAL functionality.”

Full article at source>

Nikon Announces the Revolutionary Retro Style DSLR Df Camera with Special Edition AF-S NIKKOR 50mm F1.8G Lens—Now Available for Pre-Order at B&H Photo Video

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The Nikon Df is designed exclusively for taking still photos, enabling high reliability, advanced functions and elegant camera control in Nikons thinnest, lightest FX-format DSLR. Dedicated mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation, exposure mode and release mode all help to focus on what matters—achieving creative vision.

 

NYC, NY (PRWEB) November 05, 2013

The new Nikon Df is a thrilling FX-format DSLR with a unique mechanical operation system and classic styling, along with Nikon’s flagship digital camera technology. A perfect blend of classic and modern, the Nikon Df offers a more personal shooting style that will inspire a new relationship with the camera—which one may have known and lost over the years—and reawaken the joy for taking photos.

The Nikon Df DSLR features an FX-format 16.2MP CMOS sensor and the EXPEED 3 image processor. The Df has an expanded sensitivity of ISO 50-204800, 5.5 fps continuous shooting, and a 39-point AF system with nine cross-type points. Dedicated exposure control dials along the magnesium-alloy body enable intuitive handling, the pentaprism viewfinder and 3.2″ 921k-dot LCD avail a choice of means for monitoring, and a metering coupling lever permits the use of both AI (Aperture Index) and non-AI lenses. This means that in addition to supporting current AF-S, AF-D, and AF NIKKOR lenses, past manual focus, non-AI lenses can also be used without any modification.

The Nikon Df is designed exclusively for taking still photos, enabling high reliability, advanced functions and elegant camera control in Nikons thinnest, lightest FX-format DSLR. Dedicated mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation, exposure mode and release mode all help to focus on what matters—achieving creative vision.

Full press release, photos and video at source>

FUJIFILM Launches Powerful Entry-Level X-A1 Compact Camera for Consumers — Available for Pre-Order at Adorama

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New X-A1 features an ultra-modern, easy-to-operate camera design as well as 16.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor and Robust EXR Processor II for exceptional picture quality and outstanding ergonomics.

New York, NY (PRWEB.com) September 17, 2013

Fujifilm X-A1 Digital Camera

Fujifilm X-A1 Digital Camera

FUJIFILM today announced the launch of the X-A1 Compact System Camera (CSC), a new entry-level model within the FUJIFILM premium X-Series camera line. Available for pre-order from leading camera and electronics retailer Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/results/Fuji-X-A1) for a starting price of 599.00 USD, the ultra-light X-A1 CSC gives consumers an affordable entry point into FUJIFILM’s X-Series line of digital cameras. In addition to the outstanding image quality thanks to the large 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, the X-A1 also features well-placed operational buttons and dials, a high definition 3” tilting LCD screen, and wireless image transfer capabilities for easy operation and quick photo sharing.

Customers can order the new X-A1 in either indigo blue or black and will receive their camera with the FUJINON XC16-50mm (35mm equivalent to 24-76mm) F3.5-5.6 OIS zoom lens. A versatile lens that is ideal for a wide range of photographic subjects, the XC16-50mm lens consists of 12 all-glass elements in 10 groups including 3 aspherical elements and 1 ED element. The lens also features seven round-edged aperture blades, which offer 17 stops in 1/3 EV increments for precise aperture control.

Also announced and available starting in November, the all-new FUJINON XC50-230mm (35mm equivalent to 76-350mm) F4.5-6.7 OIS lens adds even more versatility to the X-Series line of compact system cameras by offering an expanded zoom range that delivers consistently outstanding optical performance throughout. The XC50-230mm uses optical image stabilization to ensure superb performance and effectively reduces blur when shooting at longer focal lengths and in low light. The new lens is available at 399.00 USD in either black or silver.

FUJIFILM X-A1 CSC Feature Highlights

Large 16.3 Megapixel APS-C sensor and EXR Processor II
The FUJIFILM X-A1 uses an APS-C sensor and powerful EXR Processor II that captures rich tones, breathtaking dynamic range and stunning low-light images using its extended ISO range of up to 25600. With the X-A1, users can set the sensor sensitivity from ISO 200 to as high as ISO6400 in 1/3 step increments, to obtain remarkably clear images even when shooting indoors and at night.

Together with the EXR Processor II, the X-A1 also gives customers fantastic speed with a start-up time of 0.5 seconds in Quick Start Mode, a shutter time lag of 0.05 seconds and a maximum burst speed of 5.6 frames per second.

Compact performance and advanced features
The X-A1 body weighs just 11.6oz and is about a third of the size of a traditional DSLR body. With a slim profile of 1.3” at its trimmest point, the X-A1 enjoys a highly portable form factor.

The X-A1 also features a 3” tilting high-resolution LCD screen with 920,000 dots for easy image viewing and framing at various angles. The 3” LCD monitor tilts at variable vertical angles, facilitating both low-angle and high-angle shots, on or off a tripod.

The X-A1 uses a built-in high-precision flash and Super Intelligent Flash technology that uses scene recognition and automatically controls flash strength to reduce highlight clipping.

Easy Image Transfer with WiFi® button
The X-A1 includes a WiFi button that lets users transfer high-quality photos and movies to social media sites for easy sharing from the camera to smartphones, tablets and computers.

To connect the X-A1 to a smartphone or tablet, users can download the free FUJIFILM Camera Application to their iPhone™ / iPad™ or Android™ smartphone or tablet device to transfer up to 30 pictures at a time from the X-A1. The app also lets users download movies, expanding the range of options available for enjoying pictures taken with the camera.

Intuitive design and easy operation
The X-A1 has its key operation buttons and dials positioned on the right side of the camera’s rear panel for easy use and quick picture taking. The Mode Dial for selecting the optimum setting for each scene gives access to the Advanced SR Auto function, which automatically recognizes each scene and selects the best settings for sharp and clear images.

The Advanced Filter function and Film Simulation modes give users a range of creative filters and film effects to apply and achieve unique and artistic looks.

One of the first retailers to get a sneak preview of this brand-new camera, Adorama’s team of experts has developed a review article, available now at the Adorama Learning Center (http://www.adorama.com/alc/0014312/blogarticle/Fujifilm-X-A1-Entry-Level-MILC-First-Look).

Pricing and Availability
The FUJIFILM X-A1 CSC kit with XC16-50mm (24-76mm) F3.5-5.6 OIS lens, and separately, the XC50-230mm lens, are both available for pre-order at Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/results/Fuji-X-A1). Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards are not charged until the X-A1 is shipped.

ABOUT ADORAMA

ADORAMA: More Than a Camera Store
Adorama is more than a camera store – it’s one of the world’s largest photography, video, imaging and electronics retailers. Serving customers for more than 30 years, Adorama has grown from its flagship NYC store to include the leading online destination for photography, imaging and consumer electronics. Adorama’s vast product offerings encompass home entertainment, mobile computing, and professional video and audio, while its services include an in-house photo lab, AdoramaPix, pro equipment rental at Adorama Rental Company, and the award-winning Adorama Learning Center, which offers free education for photographers in video channels such as the popular Adorama TV.

Adorama is listed as Forbes.com’s “Best of the Web” and in the Internet Retailers Top 100, and is the official Photo and Electronics Retailer of the NY Giants.

Visit ADORAMA at http://www.adorama.com.