This year has started briskly as ever. While the whole country is recovering from the Christmas holidays in Las Vegas rattled CES 2016, which brought dozens of new cameras. Class of compact cameras is still showing signs of life, but public attention was focused on the flagship of the Nikon D5 DSLR. Just the bomb! Others, too, fell by the wayside, soon after the announcement of a large-scale exhibition was marked by Fujifilm, Olympus and Canon. And again, Leica has made an unexpected role. About all this today, we will talk.
Camera
Nikon D5
- Briefly about the model: flagship full frame DSLR with high sensitivity
- The sales start: March 2016
- Competitors: Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
- Price: $6500 for the kit without lens
Nikon D5 – this is what will shoot the reporters of leading news agencies in the next couple of years. Well, last flagship, the Nikon D4, officially goes into retirement. However, for many it can be a great choice due to reduced rates in the last few months of sales.
Nikon D5 (left) and Nikon D4s (right)
Inside the D5 is full frame CMOS sensor 20.8 megapixels and EXPEED 5 processor. The camera can shoot photos with a frequency of 12 frames per second in normal mode and 14 fps with the mirror locked. But the main advantage is the extreme sensitivity. Under the beyond I mean ISO 3.280.000. In words: three million two hundred eighty thousand.
Nikon D5 (left) and Nikon D4s (right)
For autofocus operation now responds to the individual processor. And the system as a whole, has 153 points, among them the 99 sensors are cross-type. Another thing of importance is that the camera will be available in two versions. One of them has two CF slots, the other two XQD slots.
Nikon D5 (left) and Nikon D4s (right)
Nikon still believes in the great future of the format, which for several years has not received any widespread distribution. By the way, is the only Nikon service centers can be replaced with XQD slots to CF and Vice versa for a fee.
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Nikon D500
- Briefly about the model: the flagship model in the class of DSLRs with APS-C sensor, the long-awaited replacement of the Nikon D300s
- The sales start: March 2016
- Competitors: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- Price: $2000 and $3070 for body kits and kit respectively
I was sure that Nikon will not continue to develop the range of professional cameras with “kropnutyh” matrix. But I see the specifications D500, and it’s nice to admit they were wrong. “‘ll think” of course, not allowed to shoot at the same insane sensitivity, as at D5, but the importance of ISO 1.640.000 very impressive. But for whom this camera is designed in the first place?
Especially for reportage photographers who require fast autofocus and high rate of fire, but who can not afford the flagship. The price difference is more than three times. No less relevant will be the camera and for a wedding photographer or photo-journalist specializing in wildlife.
Nikon D500 is based on a sensor with a resolution of 20.9 MP, and the AF system went to the camera from the flagship D5 (153 points, 99 of which cross). In burst mode the camera does 10 frames per second and can store in the buffer to 79 RAW files at maximum quality. Mechanical shutter works guaranteed 200 thousand clicks, while for memory cards there are two slots (one SD and one XQD).
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Leica X-U
- Briefly about the model: the first camera protected for underwater shooting in the history of Leica
- The sales start: already on sale
- Competitors: Nikon 1 AW1
- Price: $2950
I really like the new Leica product strategy, the company is already the third time to announce a number of very atypical for the device. In January, was presented the Leica X-U (Typ 113). And it’s compact with APS-C sensor in a secure enclosure. It withstands a drop onto a hard surface from a height of 1.2 meters and immersion up to 15 meters. However, examples of just Leica underwater pictures on your site does not (https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-X/Leica-X-U/Images).
The lens has a focal length of 23mm (approximately 35mm equivalent) and aperture of 1.7. But the most interesting solution is flash, which is located at the end of the lens. This approach will efficiently illuminate objects in the process of macro shooting under water.
Resolution CMOS sensor is 16 megapixels, the maximum sensitivity is 12500 units, the shortest shutter speed is 1/2000 s, and to save uncompressed images use the open DNG format. The camera is already on sale in the world, and will soon be available in Leica stores in Russia.
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Fujifilm X-Pro2
- Briefly about the model: the flagship of mirrorless digital cameras Fuji for the next two years
- The sales start: February 2016
- Competitors: Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, Panasonic Lumix GX8
- Price: $1700 per set without lens
Fujifilm decided not to allow the mistakes of the past, and updated the two lines of mirrorless digital cameras at the same time. Now to choose between the old and new flagship camera lower class don’t have – the X-Pro2 and X-E2S are released simultaneously. The top model uses a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor X-Trans CMOS III and a new CPU (a simple named X-Pro Processor), by which time the camera could be reduced to 0.4 seconds, and continuous shooting to disperse up to 8 frames per second.
Fujifilm X-Pro1 differed very slow auto focus, but now the focus has declined to 0.06 second, and the autofocus system operates in hybrid mode, combining contrast and phase focus sensors 77. The camera body is protected against dust and moisture, though the weather-optics in the company’s portfolio is still very small.
The hybrid viewfinder in optical mode “learned” to adapt to different lenses, automatically changing the zoom factor. In electronic mode it displays the image with a resolution of at 2.36 million pixels, which has a refresh rate of 85 frames per second. From other innovations it is worth to note especially the double slot for SD memory cards, the sensitivity level is 12800 units and the possibility of video recording in Full HD at 60 frames per second.
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Fujifilm X-E2S
- Briefly about the model: compact and affordable bezzerkalka with the sensor X-Trans CMOS II sensor
- The sales start: February 2016
- Competitors: Olympus OM-D E-M10 II, Canon EOS M3
- Price: $700 for the kit without lens
It is obvious that the X-Pro2 many will not afford, in Russia it will cost about 150 thousand rubles, if not more. Massively more will be sold X-E2S. The choice of names suggests that this is more an upgrade of the previous camera than a full replacement. It uses a sensor X-Trans CMOS second generation, but with some improvements. The maximum sensitivity, for example, managed to raise up to ISO 51200.
In addition, the electronic viewfinder is faster (promise in the lag of 0.005 seconds, but believed in it with difficulty), the AF system has acquired phase sensors on the matrix, and the time does not exceed half a second. Electronic shutter allows you to shoot with ultra short shutter speeds up to 1/32000 of a second. Plus there are some innovations in the interface and new options for configuring the function keys.
Fujifilm X-E2S
Details about all this I will cover in the review before the end of the month. In the meantime, should add that in addition to body, the camera will be available in kit with lens 18-55mm f/2.8-4 for the price of $ 1000. The exact price for Russia yet never given.
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Fujifilm X70
- Briefly about models: fashion compact with large sensor and fixed lens
- The sales start: February 2016
- Competitors: Nikon Coolpix A
- Price: $700
But this is a new model in the line of premium compacts with non-interchangeable optics, which falls in a niche between X100 and X20. Fujifilm X70 uses the same sensor that is in the X-E2S. Actually, the similarities end. Like the X100, the new camera uses a high-aperture (F2.8) lens with a fixed focal length but with a wider angle (28 mm vs 35 equivalent).
A three-inch screen supports touch input, and the electronic viewfinder is completely missing. But I’d rather take it as an advantage rather than a disadvantage, because: a) the camera becomes smaller and lighter and b) you don’t have to pay for what you use.
If we talk about purely technical features, the X70 is very similar to two other new products Fuji 2016. In any case for X70 stated the exact same range of exposure (up to 1/32000 sec), the same shutter lag (0.05 s) and similar time focus (0,06 s). But the unexpected, I am seriously going to compare X70 with Leica Q from the point of view of the street photographer’s tool. And I don’t mind the fact that the Leica is several times more expensive.
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Olympus PEN-F
- Briefly about the model: beautiful and relatively inexpensive model for those who use the camera as a pendant
- The sales start: already on sale
- Competitors: Panasonic Lumix GX8, Fujifilm X-E2S
- Price: $1200
Olympus seems increasingly trying to look to the past than to the future. And the fashion for vintage stuff around the world has yet to pass. Remember how earlier, we were told that the design of the first models of PEN mirrorless digital cameras were created with an eye on the old PEN-F. now we have a digital PEN-F, which is similar to the PEN-F is not only design, but also the name. In General, first impressions of colleagues-journalists is very inconsistent. The guys from The Verge in General approve of, and the guys in the Bokeh/DigitalRev say that “F” means fail.
Inside a digital PEN-F is a 20-megapixel LiveMOS sensor format Micro Four Thirds (crop factor 2x). There is the tilting screen and electronic viewfinder, but the camera has the same stabilization system as the flagship OM-D E-M5 II. Continuous shooting with mechanical shutter possible with a frequency of 10 frames per second, which, incidentally, is consistent with the level expensive SLRs.
In electronic shutter mode allows you to shoot with shutter speeds up to 1/16000 of a second. However, in Olympus cameras this is not new. And, of course, built-in Wi-Fi, as well as the ability to shoot in RAW & JPEG in high resolution: 10368×7776 and 8160×6120 pixels respectively.
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Compact camera
Compact cameras, as I said at the beginning, in January announced a lot. One Canon only gave up five new products: PowerShot SX540 HS, SX420 IS and 360 ELPH HS, ELPH ELPH IS 190 and 180.
New compact Canon camera
All these novelties will appear on sale in February priced between $ 120 (for the younger model in the line of ELPH) to $ 400 for PowerShot HS SX540.
Pleased with the Panasonic travel zoom-Lumix ZS60 ZS100 and that the European market will be called TZ60 and TZ100. In the first case we have an 18-megapixel sensor format 1/2,3 and the lens with 30x optical zoom (24-720mm mm equivalent). In the second case a larger matrix (1’ with a resolution of 20 megapixels) and less powerful optical zoom (10x, 24-240mm equivalent).
Both cameras shoot videos in 4K resolution, both have optical stabilization, and built-in Wi-Fi modules. Lumix TZ600 will be sold in mid-March for $450, and TZ100 have to enter the market at the end of March for $700.
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A couple of years ago Panasonic introduced the Lumix mysterious model CM-1, which is a smartphone with a quality sensor and lens. In Russia and some other countries its sale has not begun. And in January of this year the company showed a new generation, but now it’s just the camera on Android. No smartphone features.
Panasonic Lumix CM10
The PV panel consists of one-inch CMOS sensor and lens Leica 28mm f/2.8. The sensitivity can be adjusted manually in the range of 200-25600 units, and images are saved as RAW and JPEG. The display by the standards of the cameras is just huge at 4.7 inches diagonally. In General, the characteristics of repeat exactly a 2014 model. The device is kept the slot for the SIM card, though use it only for data transfer. Panasonic will be selling the camera in Japan, complete with traffic packages from 3 gigabytes.
Optics and accessories
ZEISS ExoLens
Surprisingly, still optics for smartphones did not merit the attention of major manufacturers of optics. But it would be nice if Nikon or Canon would have released false lenses under their brand names. However, the first warning in advance ZEISS, presenting new ExoLens.
The basic kit includes three lenses: wide angle, telephoto and macro. All lenses are of the highest quality optics and have a proprietary anti-reflective coating. Interestingly, the lenses have magnetic mounts, as some counterparts, but are worn with a special nozzle. While stated support only for iPhone 6/6 Plus and 6s/6s Plus. Sales will start in early summer, and the price is not specified.
DG Leica Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH
New mirrorless digital cameras Panasonic has not yet introduced, but the old owners can now treat themselves to a powerful telezoom under the brand Leica – DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH. This lens offers a four times zoom and gives the equivalent of 800 mm on the long end. By the way, this is the most telephoto lens available for mirrorless cameras.
DG Leica Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH
The optical scheme comprises 20 elements in 13 groups. While the relatively small aperture is compensated by the optical image stabilization. The lens is protected and free from dust and moisture, has a built-in lens hood and a separate mounting on a tripod. In sale it will arrive in April for $1800.
Leica Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH, Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH and Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH
Leica has introduced three wide-angle lens for the rangefinder camera series M Elmarit-M and Summicron-M have the same focal length, but the latter has a great relative aperture – f/2.0. The difference in one-step exposition of the Germans was estimated at $ 1,800. Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH went on sale for $2195, while the Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH sells for $3995.
35mm Summicron-M will be released a bit later, in late February, priced at $ 2795. Traditionally Leica promises the highest sharpness on the entire frame, and soft, branded, “thoroughbred” bokeh (the character of the blur in the zone of confusion).
What’s next?
And then I will be literally a week to recover from the shock after such a busy month. And then we can proceed to a more intimate acquaintance with the novelties. In the near future will come to us three cameras Fujifilm and Olympus new. Well, at the end of the month should come and Nikon D5. Do not switch!