Fujifilm X-S1 26x superzoom bridge camera announced (pictures, video)

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  • November 24, 2011 at 1:37 am

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Fujifilm has just announced a companion camera to its X10 high-end compact, the Fufilm X-S1. It features the same 2/3 EXR CMOS sensor and a 24-624mm (35mm equivalent) lens with a f/2.8 maximum aperture at the wide-angle setting. Although many will lament the use of a small-sized sensor, Fujifilm more than makes up for it with the optics. The lens is made up of 17 glass elements, including four aspherical and two ED lenses. The lens offers and equivalent 26x zoom and can focus down to an incredible 1cm in super macro mode.

As is usual now for a Fujifilm X-series shooter, the X-S1 bridge camera features controls aplenty. There is a mode dial, of course, and a new command dial. The camera has a rubberized coating, but both dials are metallic. You also get a large variety of button controls, donning the top and the back of the camera, while the lens offers manual focus and zoom rings.
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When technology becomes culture and when making a lens becomes art

News

  • November 18, 2011 at 2:18 pm

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Canon lens factory

We mostly don’t think of how the things we use daily are made. You buy a new gadget, take it out of the box and concentrate on what you can do with it, rather than its origins. We have this subconscious idea that things roll out of a nameless and faceless production line which is there for the sole purpose of feeding our voracious appetite for material goods.

Canon’s virtual lens plant is a series of videos demonstrating the entire painstaking process starting from the raw powdered optical lens material up to the construction of the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM lens. It’s a testament to man’s achievement, that we continue to evolve. It’s technology and engineering that have become part of human culture, pushing our boundaries as humanity forward. We have evolved from making basic tools for survival to precision instruments such as these. After watching the full nineteen videos, I’m again reassured of humanity’s progress and technology’s role as an agent for progress.
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Sony resumes NEX-7 and Alpha A65 production, NEX-7 release date edging closer

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  • November 17, 2011 at 3:26 pm

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Sony NEX-7 front dramatic

We had reported about a month ago that Sony postponed the release of its NEX-7 high-end compact mirrorless camera as a result of the devastating flooding in Thailand. Production of the Alpha A65 together with some lens kits was also affected. Sony operates three plants in the country and has now moved production of the NEX and DSLT cameras from its affected Ayutthaya facility to a plant in Chonburi.

A spokesman from Sony USA has confirmed that production of the NEX-7 and the Alpha A65 has now resumed. The Sony NEX-7 was scheduled to be released this month, before it was postponed indefinitely. We are not sure yet when the official release will happen, but we hope that the high-end compact will arrive before the holidays. Note that the Sony Alpha A65 has already appeared at retailers but with limited availability.

The NEX-7 shares the same 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and the incredible 2359k dot OLED electronic viewfinder with Sony’s larger DSLT duo, the A77 and A65. You might want to check out our initial hands-on with the A65, for our impressions on the sensor and the OLED EVF.
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Pictures of Fujifilm’s new X-series LX interchangeable lens mirrorless camera leaked

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  • November 15, 2011 at 3:40 pm

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Fujifilm X-series MILC leaked picture - back

We’ve already heard directly from Fujifilm that the camera maker is preparing a new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) system under their popular X-series. It is going to be a premium camera system and we expected it to bear some similarities to the very popular X100.

Well a few pictures appeared on a Chinese website, Xitek, claiming to belong to above said Fujifilm MILC camera. There is very close resemblance to the X100, both in terms of design and button and dial layout, with dedicated exposure and shutter speed dials. The X100 design queues suggest this could be the real thing, though it might be an early prototype.
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Fujifilm X10 unboxing video, not for the faint-hearted

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  • November 14, 2011 at 6:08 pm

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Fujifilm X10

We won’t hide the fact that the “Fuji Guys” are our favorite internet duo. Billy and Greg are two people who obviously love their job, and who wouldn’t when that would entail getting your hands on the latest Fujifilm shooters and demonstrating them for the world to see. After their last 16 minute video demonstration of the new Fujifilm X10 high-end point-and-shoot camera, the Canadian pair returns with a painstakingly detailed unboxing video of the X10.

If you enjoy lusting over every piece of kit that comes with the X10 and of course the camera itself, you’ll find the video right after the break. As a reminder, the X10 is not a simple run-of-the-mill compact camera. It offers tons of controls, a manual 4x optical zoom f2.0-2.8 Fujinon lens, optical viewfinder, image stabilization, built-in ND filter, magnesium alloy body and a sexy retro design. The X10 is already up for sale for $599.

The full 6 plus minute unboxing video is after the break.
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Panasonic GH2 MFT camera now hacked for video up to ISO 12,800 (video)

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  • November 10, 2011 at 9:53 am

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GF2 ISO 12,800 video

We’ve already covered how the Panasonic GH2 had been unlocked, using a custom firmware, and could now record video at an amazing 176Mbps. The latest version of the hack now removes the ISO 3,200 limit when recording video, so that you can push the camera to record up to ISO 12,800. Now, one would think that video at such high ISO would be rife with noise and completely unusable.

Well, it turns out that, although noise is there, it’s not as bad, and the hack allows the GH2 to become an amazing low-light shooter. This is especially true when shooting video in B&W where the noise just looks like film grain. It’s pretty mind-blowing that you can shoot such video with a sub-$1000 digital camera. You can find details on how to apply the firmware in by following this link.

Two videos showing off the GH2’s high-ISO low-light B&W video capabilities await for you after the break.
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Panasonic GX1 vs. Sony NEX-7 vs. Fujifilm X100 vs. Olympus E-P3 comparison

The Lab

  • November 7, 2011 at 10:47 am

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Panasonic Lumix GX1 MFT camera black and silver side-by-side

With the successor to the GF1 finally announced, Panasonic is coming back strongly to the space it helped create. The Panasonic GX1 is the company’s new high-end rangefinder style mirorrless camera. But, as we’ve discussed in our initial in-depth coverage, unlike its predecessor it’s coming up against some very serious competition.

To put things into perspective, we’ve the GX1 against the top competitors from Sony, Fujifilm and Olympus. Our comparison includes the super-high-end NEX-7 with an APS-C sensor and the amazing OLED EVF, the excellent fixed lens APS-C Fujifilm FinePix X100 (full review here) and a fellow Micro Four Thirds camera, the Olympus E-P3. So, read on to check out how our new MILC holds up.
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Panasonic Lumix GX1 Micro Four Thirds camera and LVF2 EVF announced: new 16MP sensor, December release date (specs, pictures, video)

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  • November 7, 2011 at 5:20 am

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Panasonic Lumix GX1 MFT digital camera silver

The Panasonic Lumix GX1 Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) has been officially announced. We first saw the true successor of the venerable GF1 in October, while yesterday we managed to catch a good look of the high-end compact GX1 in Panasonic’s presentation video. Specifications are exactly as we had initially reported.

The Lumix GX1 has a 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor, the same that can be found in the Panasonic G3. This would mean more detail but less high ISO noise than the 12-megapixel sensor found in the GF3 (and of course the much older GF1). On the back ,you’ll find a 3-inch 460k dot touchscreen LCD; similar to other Panasonic offerings, you can touch-focus using the screen. You can also control the Lumix X Power Zoom lenses with the touchscreen. The camera uses contrast autofocus, with Panasonic claiming its as fast as 0.09 seconds. The GX1 can shoot up to ISO 12,800 and supports 1080p video in MP4 (20Mbps) and 1080i60 in AVCHD (17Mbps). We’re glad to see that it includes a stereo microphone and an accessory shoe which can host an electronic viewfinder or external flash.

Together with the camera, Panasonic announced the DMW-LVF2, a new 1,440k dot, 90 degree tilting, electronic viewfinder (EVF). The LVF2 offers more than seven times the effective pixels of the older LVF1 (with 202k dots). Unfortunately the LVF2 will not be compatible with any of the current GF-line cameras, (GF3, GF2, GF1); the LVF2 has a different set of connector which are essential in order to support the higher data transfer rate necessary for its higher resolution.

The GX1 is housed in an aluminium body, similar to the GF1, has metal buttons and a substantial textured handgrip. In terms of controls you have a typical Panasonic arrangement with two physical customizable function buttons, a mode dial, while it’s only missing the drive mode selector from the GF1. Though, remember, you can control aspects of the camera using the touchscreen as well, if you so choose. Panasonic has, for the first time, included a horizontal and vertical angle level gauge which will be displayed both in portrait and vertical use.
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Sony Alpha SLT-A65 initial hands-on, OLED EVF and high ISO tests

The Lab

  • October 25, 2011 at 5:17 pm

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Sony Alpha SLT-A65 hands-on

Despite the ominous signs on general availability of the Sony A65, we’ve already confirmed that the camera is shipping to a few lucky individuals in the US.

Stuff-Review has managed to snatch one of the first Sony Alpha SLT-A65 DSLT cameras to ship. This is an initial hands-on with the camera, which is an actual final production unit, and we’ll be sharing some first impressions and test results. As we spend more quality time with the A65 we will update you on our finds.
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Global release of Sony NEX-7 camera delayed indefinitely due to Thai floods, Alpha A65 and lens production also affected

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  • October 20, 2011 at 6:06 am

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Sony NEX-7 front dramatic

Bad news for anyone waiting on Sony’s compact mirrorless high-end shooter. The global launch of the Sony NEX-7, which was due to be released in November, just in time to entice holiday buyers, is now being delayed indefinitely.

Months of heavy monsoon rains in Thailand have caused widespread floods and have affected operations in two of Sony’s three production facilities in the country.

Production of the new Alpha A65 translucent mirror camera has also been affected. We reported that some A65 cameras were already shipping, but availability was scarce. Sony is delaying the Japanese launch of the A65, while we would expect general availability to be affected.

A Sony spokesperson has said that the company is considering shifting production to an unaffected production facility. Besides the two cameras, production of lens kits and headphone products has also been affected.
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Sony Alpha A65 shipping now for early pre-orders

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  • October 16, 2011 at 9:36 am

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Sony A65 digital camera shipping now from Amazon to early pre-orders

We had reported that the release date for the Sony Alpha A65 digital camera was pushed to November. Well it seems that this is not exactly the case, as some lucky early pre-orders are already shipping out.

We’ve received the screen capture above (from which we’ve removed any sensitive info), which shows that a lucky individual will be receiving a brand new, latest technology, SLT camera at his doorstep very soon.

Note that the order was placed way back in August, when the camera was announced. The announced delay from Sony could just mean that the company is finding it difficult to meat initial demand, but the camera might still be slowly trickling out. Have you also received a similar notification? Let us know in your comments.

Panasonic GH2 MFT camera hacked to record video at an insane 176Mbps

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  • October 14, 2011 at 8:35 am

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Panasonic GH2 MFT digital camera

Panasonic designed the GH2 Micro Four Thirds camera to also shoot great video and the digital camera has received a warm embrace by the amateur video community. Out of the box the GH2 can shoot full HD 1080i video at the maximum AVCHD bitrate of 24 Mbit/s (Mbps).

Leave it to the hacking community to achieve what even Panasonic’s engineers would not have though possible. Not too long ago the GH2 received the hacking treatment with a custom firmware courtesy of user ‘Vitaliy’ which unlocked the GH2 to new possibilities. Well, testers have been pushing the envelope since then and a recent contribution by user ‘Driftwood’ has pushed the GH2 to record video at a whopping 176Mbps in a format titled AVCHD Intra.

What’s incredible is that the GH2 can actually manage such a high bitrate, this is by far the highest for any mirrorless or DSLR camera out there. You can catch two videos recorded at this setting after break, showing off the amazing picture quality.
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Fujifilm X10 digital camera November release date and price revealed

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  • October 8, 2011 at 7:46 am

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Fujifilm FinePix X10 side with lens extended

The X10, Fujifilm’s new high-end point-and-shoot camera, was announced in September with a possible October or November release date and unknown pricing. Well, we now have some more concrete information for you. The X10 will be priced at $600 in the US, with an early November release date — both B&H and Adorama agree on the date and pricing. The price is quite steep if you consider that the Canon S95 and the Panasonic LX5 now retail for around $350-380. Nevertheless the X10 is quite unique as it features an optical viewfinder, 7 blade aperture system, a host of manual controls and shares the X100‘s retro looks and build quality (real world review of the X100 here).

The UK release date is more specific, with Amazon UK listing the X10 to ship on November 11th for £500.

If you are pondering on adding Fuji’s new compact to you camera arsenal, check out this 16 minute video and our initial coverage of the Fujifilm X10.
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Fujifilm prepping new ‘premium’ X-series interchangeable lens mirrorless camera system

News

  • October 7, 2011 at 4:20 pm

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The Fuji Guys

The Fuji Guys might be our favorite tech spokespersons pair; you might remember them from their video of the new X10, going over every detail. The official voice of Fujifilm Canada, has ousted, over a couple of tweets, the company’s intention to release a new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) system under their popular X-series.

The Fujifilm X100 showed to the world that compact low-light performance is achievable, however you are stuck with just one focal length, for better or worse. It seems that Fujifilm will try to maintain the same premium design and performance but give you the option of switching between zoom and prime lenses.

Information is very scarce at the moment; the Fuji Guys’ tweets (which you can find after the break) mention that, it will be a premium system, and not Micro Four Thirds — we would guess bigger sensor, perhaps the same APS-C sensor as the X100 — and that the system will be unveiled at CES 2012 in January.

We will definitely keep you posted in the meantime, as these things do tend to leak out.
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