Officially announced: New Nikon 20mm and 24-200mm Z lenses

Preorders:
Nikon 20mm f/1.8 at BHphoto and Adorama.
Nikon 24-200mm at BHphoto and Adorama.

 

Press text:

THE NIKKOR Z EXPANSION CONTINUES: NIKON ANNOUNCES TWO NEW Z MOUNT OPTICS WITH THE ADDITION OF THE VERSATILE NIKKOR Z 24-200MM f/4-6.3 VR AND WIDE-ANGLE NIKKOR Z 20MM f/1.8 S LENSES

Built on the Superior Optical Design of the Z Mount, Nikon’s Latest NIKKOR Z Lenses are Remarkable Tools for Capturing Travel, Landscapes and Adventure

MELVILLE, NY (February 11, 2020) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced two new full frame lenses to the rapidly expanding NIKKOR Z lineup. With the addition of the versatile, lightweight NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR and the ultra-wide NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S, Nikon continues to demonstrate the superior optical capabilities of its NIKKOR Z lenses, made possible by the advanced technology of the revolutionary Z mount. The NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR boasts a broad 24-200mm zoom range with the power and versatility to make it a staple for travel and everyday photography. Meanwhile, the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S expands the f/1.8 line of NIKKOR Z lenses, offering an extremely fast aperture and a vast field of view, ideal for enthusiasts and pros shooting landscapes, architecture or the night sky.

“With the launch of the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR and NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S, Nikon remains dedicated to rapidly expanding the lens options for Z users,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “Whether it be a wide angle with a fast aperture for capturing landscapes or night photography, or a reliable all-in-one lens for those who want to travel light, we continue to offer Nikon users the advanced optics necessary to enhance their content.”

NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR: Versatile Zoom, So Many Possibilities
The NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR is an affordable and immensely versatile all-in-one full-frame 8.3x zoom lens offering an expansive wide-to-telephoto focal range with a portable design, making it an excellent option for Nikon Z shooters. With a lightweight 20-ounce design and drip and dust resistance, the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm is prepared for adventure while maintaining the high-end optical quality of a NIKKOR Z lens. Meanwhile, the lens’ high resolution, point-light clarity and minimal distortion deliver edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the entire focal range.

Constructed of two aspherical lens elements, two ED glass lens elements and 1 aspherical ED glass element with Nikon’s ARNEO Coating, the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR minimizes distortion, color bleeding and flare to consistently achieve optical excellence. The lens reaches up to 300mm when paired with a DX-format camera body, or when used in DX crop mode, providing users with endless possibilities for capturing any type of content from magnificent landscapes to beautiful portraiture and fast-paced wildlife.

An ultra-flexible tool for video creators as well, the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR promises smooth subject tracking to keep sharp focus while zooming in video mode. The lens also adds 5 stops1 of built-in optical vibration reduction, yet also works in tandem with IBIS to deliver superb stabilization in the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7, offering every creator sharp and precise framing for seamless videomaking and stunning stills.

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S: Expansive Views, Exceptional Details
Joining the S-line of high-performance NIKKOR Z lenses, the exceptionally sharp and versatile NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S ultra-wide lens was designed for those who want expansive imagery with increased detail, sharpness and shallow depth of field. The lens’ 20mm focal length combines a bright f/1.8 constant aperture and beautiful point-light reproduction for fantastic stars and cityscapes, making it ideal for astrophotography or capturing vast landscapes in challenging light.

Built for worry-free durability, the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S lens’ lightweight design is equipped with weather sealing to combat dust and moisture. The lens features 9 aperture blades, 3 ED lens elements and a Nano Crystal Coating, helping photographers to achieve top-notch image quality across the frame with consistency. Beyond its still photography prowess, the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S offers multimedia creators a unique perspective, plus a stepping motor for fast and quiet AF and suppressed focus breathing, achieving truly cinematic video capture.

Pricing and Availability
The NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR will be available in April 2020 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $899.95*, and the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S will be available March 2020 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $1,049.95*. For more information on the latest Nikon products, including the new NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR and NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S lenses and the full Nikon Z mount system, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Sigma CEO says: No lenses for X-mount, Nikon Z and Canon EOS-R lens development “undecided” and 70-200mm f/2.8 FE is coming!

The very friendly Sigma CEO shared his insights on future products! The key take aways in short:

  • Sigma is considering making anamorphic lenses
  • We can be certain there will be a new 70-200mm f/2.8 FE lens
  • No lenses for X-mount because Fuji doens’t share the mount protocols
  • Sigma has still not decided if they are going to make lenses for Nikon Z and Canon EOS-R

Tamron says they will launch three new lenses for mirrorless in 2020

Within their new financial report Tamron discloses the launch of additional three lenses for mirrorless camera in 2020. I have near ZERO doubt those lenses are for the Sony FE system. Tamron also disclosed some other interesting marketing info:

Market Situation:

  • Digital SLR cameras decreased by 20% from the previous year. Digital SLR down by 41% whereas, Mirrorless up by 4%from the previous year.
  • Interchangeable lenses decreased by 12% from the previous year:APS-C down by 23% from the previous year; Full-Size down by 6%from the previous year.
  • DSC decreased by 18% from the previous year.

Tamron Situation:

  • With the strong sales of mirrorless models, the total sales of own-brand models kept the same level, with only 3% decrease, compare to the previous year; whereas, the market shrank more.
  • The operating income sharply increased from the previous year due to the higher gross profit margin from the newly launched own-brand models, together with the lower SGA expenses.

Goal:

  • Without the assumption of market growth,profitability improvement is the highest priority.（Higher gross profit margin of own-brand with lower business operation costs.）
  • The sales and profits are expected to decline due to the continued decline of the markets, Operating profits margin is expected to keep high level.
  • With newly launched mirrorless models, the sales of own-brand models is expected to increase the sales compare to the previous year.

Now this is going bad folks: Sony said coronavirus outbreak could affect image sensor and electronics business enormously

Yesterday we heard from CIPA that 2019 was the worst year of the decade for the camera industry. Well now I am 99,9999% sure 2020 will be even worse. Today Sony told investors that the coronavirus outbreak will affect their business:

“we cannot deny that our production and sales supply chain for the image sensor and electronics business could be affected enormously.”

Now, all depends on how long this outbreak will last….but the outlook is grim for the industry.

On a personal note: I wish all the best to anyone affected by this!

–

via Nikkei

 

Oh no! Sigma officially said Full Frame Foveon is not coming this year :(

Damn it! This was probably the most exciting camera of the year but Sigma just announced they have to totally scrap what they have done so far and restart completely the development. This is very sad news and I guess we will not see any Foveon camera for the next 2-3 years :(

Here is the Press text:

Development status of the full-frame Foveon sensor camera

Dear Customers,

Thank you for being a valued customer.

At Photokina in September 2018, SIGMA announced the development of an L-mount mirrorless camera equipped with a full-frame Foveon sensor. Then, at CP+2019, we shared our plan to release the camera in 2020 and have worked diligently on the development to meet our commitment.

As a result of careful and rigorous testing based on the latest development information, however, it has become clear that the launch of such a camera would be infeasible within this year. Still at this point, we cannot say for certain when the full-frame Foveon X3 sensor will be put into mass production.

In light of current development progress, we are not in a position to offer any specific release plan at present. We have therefore decided that we should start over the project with a clean slate, putting the production plan for this new camera back to the drawing board and going back to the development of sensor technologies.

Since the earlier announcements, your excitement with the launch of a “full-frame Foveon” has been a tremendous source of inspiration and encouragement for us. Everyone involved in the project has pulled out all the stops to make it a reality. I would like to express my deepest apologies for failing to meet your expectations and having to share this disappointing news.

I would like to emphasize that Foveon sensors are in a class of their own and that they are part of the identity of SIGMA cameras that embodies our ideals and philosophies. We are determined to continue dedicating ourselves to technology development to bring better image sensors to life.

I would like to once again express my sincerest gratitude to our valued customers for the strong support you have offered to us. On behalf of all SIGMA employees, I commit myself to you that we continue striving to live up to your expectation and prove that we are worthy of your trust.

I truly appreciate your patience and understanding.

Warmest regards,

Kazuto Yamaki
Chief Executive Officer
SIGMA Corporation

via Dpreview