Wow! Sigma announced the world’s smallest Full Frame system camera! It’s named Sigma FP!

Today Sigma launched these three new E and L-mount lenses:
Sigma 35mm f/1.2 FE at Adorama, BHphoto, WexUK.
Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 FE at Adorama, BHphoto, WexUK.
Sigma 45mm f/2.8 FE at Adorama, BHphoto, WexUK.

But the big news is this:
Sigma just announced their new FP camera (FP stays for “Fortissimo Pianissimo”). It’s the worlds smallest Full Frame system camera! This is NOT the Foveon camera that will come in 2020…this is a “regular” 24MP Bayer sensor L-mount camera scheduled to be released in autumn!

Specs:
– 24MP Bayer sensor with no low pass filter
– ISO 100-25600
– 14 Bit RAW (DNG)
– electronic shutter
– Cinema DNG recording
– Weather sealed
– L-mount
– Release in autumn

Product page at sigma-global.com/en/cameras/fp-series/main-feature/

Press text:

SIGMA announces the “SIGMA fp”, the world’s smallest and lightest mirrorless digital camera* with a full-frame image sensor

SIGMA Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of “SIGMA fp,” the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless digital camera*. The SIGMA fp incorporates a 35mm full-frame Bayer sensor with 24.6 effective megapixels in a compact body, and boasts great versatility and scalability that allows mixing-and-matching of a variety of interchangeable lenses and accessories. It is a camera that is casual enough to take anywhere, anytime, and high-spec enough for serious still and cine shooting in the highest image quality, all in a robust and classy body.

Regardless of the differences in shooting scenes and styles or genre boundaries between stills and videos, this new camera is set to expand the freedom and possibilities in image shooting and art creation further than ever before. A “pocketable full-frame” camera: SIGMA fp, is now available.

*As of July, 2019.

SIGMA’s take on an entirely new system camera. The world’s smallest and lightest “pocketable full-frame” camera is here.

The environment that surrounds shooting and art creation is undergoing radical changes. In this day and age when one user may have both a high-performance interchangeable lens camera and a smartphone camera, using them flexibly according to specific purposes and settings, SIGMA stopped and questioned the inherent value of a digital camera.
As a result, SIGMA set itself to develop a user-oriented digital camera that reflected the idea of “how a camera can be” in a more flexible and true-to-life manner, without conforming to manufacturers’ ideas of camera-centric categories and hierarchy.

Pocketable full-frame│Impressive portability and power

The “smallest and lightest body possible” with which one can express their creative ideas whenever they want, combined with a “full-frame sensor” that is suitable for serious occasions without compromising on image quality, and “superb build quality” that makes the camera the perfect linchpin of a high-performance lens system.

Scalable│Versatile scalability

An “open and liberal system” that allows one to pair the camera with lenses and accessories, whether from SIGMA or other brands, using a variety of attachments, complete with “versatile scalability” that makes the camera adaptable to any scenes.

Seamless│Full-fledged, liberating shooting functions

A “highly intuitive UI” that allows one to move between full-fledged still and cine shooting modes with just one finger, making for a “seamless and truly creative tool” that goes beyond style and genre differences.

Making it a top priority to realize these three concepts all at once and without requiring any trade-offs, SIGMA selected only the elements and mechanisms that were truly needed with no compromise to create the SIGMA fp as the embodiment of an “entirely new digital camera that SIGMA can offer to the world right now.”

It’s a camera body that changes its configuration with great flexibility centered around the user. It’s a tool that gives the user the joy of a new camera life that they themselves are yet to discover. It’s a new system camera that will overturn the paradigm of “digital cameras.”
The SIGMA fp is here to broaden the potential of “image shooting” ad infinitum.

World’s smallest and lightest full-frame camera

With overall dimensions of 112.6×69.9×45.3mm and body weight of 370g, without battery and card, the SIGMA fp is the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless camera*. It employs a back-illuminated 35mm full-frame Bayer sensor with 24.6 effective megapixels for high-quality images.

Covered on the front and back sides with die-cast aluminum alloy for its superior robustness and thermal conductivity, the compact body of the SIGMA fp is built with a signature heat sink structure and sealing on 42 points for a dust- and splash-proof structure, making it a perfect camera to use for long hours under all types of environments. With its small body and great adaptability, the SIGMA fp enhances the joy of full-frame image quality, no matter what one’s shooting settings may be.
＊As of July, 2019.

Electronic shutter for a variety of settings

“Able to shoot whenever you want, wherever you want”―to realize this concept, the SIGMA fp incorporates a construction without a mechanical shutter for quiet shooting. This allows shooting without worrying about noise in a situation where one would have hesitated with a conventional camera because of its shutter sound. It gives no shutter shock even when shooting in quick succession at a frame rate of 18 frames/sec. eliminating even the tiniest shakes.

In addition, the absence of a mechanical shutter, whose performance level can change through continuous operation, means that the SIGMA fp is a camera with improved reliability.

Superior options in artistic picture & video creations

The SIGMA fp is a frontrunner in incorporating functions that help exploring the photographic and cinematic creations.

For instance, in addition to a number of different color modes, the SIGMA fp has newly introduced the “Teal and Orange” mode, inspired by the color grading technique commonly used in Hollywood films. Each mode has a slider that enables adjustment of the strength of the effects to apply, providing even greater control in one’s creations.

The SIGMA fp is the first SIGMA camera to employ a tone curve adjustment function in addition to “Fill Light”, a special adjustment function of SIGMA Photo Pro, and they are both available in-camera. It has also newly introduced “TONE” and “COLOR” buttons for a quick access to each of the tone control and color mode menus. With these enhanced functions and a variety of operation elements, the SIGMA fp makes it simple and easy to create an image, in-camera with great details, be it still or video.

Advanced picture & video generating functions

The SIGMA fp employs a number of advanced technologies for image and video generation.

The Auto HDR function takes advantage of an electronic shutter to take multiple pictures of different exposures (3 frames for still photography and 2 frames for video) at once, which can then be merged into a single picture or video with a great dynamic range that could not have been achieved in normal shooting.

The Cinemagraph function, meanwhile, achieves a hybrid between still photography and video in the form of animated GIFs in which parts of a still image keep moving. With this function, the SIGMA fp is capable of creating Cinemagraphs in-camera.
Note: The Auto HDR function in the Cine mode and the Cinemagraph function are to become available via firmware update scheduled at a later date.

L-Mount

The SIGMA fp uses the L-Mount*, characterized by a short flange focal length, large diameter, and superior durability. For interchangeable lenses, in addition to the wide-ranging choices of SIGMA lenses, other manufacturers’ lenses can also be an option through the L-Mount Alliance with Leica Camera AG and Panasonic Corporation. With the SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-21, SIGMA SA mount and SIGMA’s CANON EF mount lenses can be used, making the best out of one’s lens investment.

*The L-Mount Trademark is a registered Trademark of Leica Camera AG.

Supports full-fledged video production

For raw video data, the SIGMA fp supports 12-bit CinemaDNG external recording. With 4K UHD/24fps recording, it produces video data that can be used even in filmmaking. It also supports ALL-I recording which is optimal for editing H.264 compressed videos.

For video output, it uses USB3.1(GEN1), which allows a smooth data transmission to an external recording unit. As it also supports cinema camera-like user interfaces, the SIGMA fp is a camera that can be taken straight to video production settings.

Note: The feature of playing CinemaDNG footages in-camera is to become available via firmware update scheduled at a later date.

Seamless transition between Still and Cine modes

Going from the Still mode to the Cine mode at the flip of a switch. Each mode comes with a specially designed operation system and displays, making it possible to concentrate on shooting in each mode, stress-free.

For more about other features, please refer to the link : https://www.sigma-global.com/en/cameras/fp-series/main-feature/

 

Expandable:

Weather sealed:

This is not the Foveon camera that will be announced in 2020! That camera will have a new 20MP Foveon sensor:

via Dpreview

Sony announced the high quality (and expensive) 35mm f/1.8 FE lens

One thing is sure: Sony can’t make seriously low-priced lenses :) Their new 35mm f/1.8 FE looks like a serious good performer but if you were hoping to get a sub $500 lens well look elsewhere. In Sony’s defense we have to say that this lens seems to have a high image quality and also has the useful AF-MF switch and focus hold button.

If this lens doesn’t grab your interest wait two more days to see the three new Sigma FE lenses (14-24mm f/2.8, 45mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/1.2)

Preorders (start at 11am ET, Thu Jul 11):
Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE in the USA at Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera and BHphoto.
Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE in EUROPE at ParkCameras, WexUK.

Samsung and Fujifilm announce the new ISOCELL Plus sensor

Well this is exciting! Samsung and Fujifilm are now a step closer to break the Sony dominance in the sensor world. They just announced the new ISOCELL Plus sensor. On the downside there is no hint about when exactly we can see that sensor to be used on future Fuji cameras.

Here is the official press text:

ISOCELL Plus: Leading the next generation of image sensors

on Jul 01, 2019

You might not think about it when you’re snapping that selfie by the beach, but it’s taken years of research and engineering for you to be able to share those high-resolution photos on your social media feeds. From tackling the challenges of improved resolution to low-light performance, Samsung has been a leader in smartphone camera technology, consistently earning high praise from industry gurus and consumers alike for its image sensors.

Nowhere is that truer than with Samsung’s latest ISOCELL Plus sensor technology that is powering the best-in-class cameras found on the company’s flagship devices. Here’s how Samsung overcame the engineering challenges of smartphone cameras and developed the ISOCELL Plus technology that is pushing the boundaries of image sensors to deliver crystal clear, color accurate photos even in challenging light conditions.

Understanding Pixel Technology

Illustrative image of Conventional FSI pixel in four layers including micro lenses, color filter, metal line, photodiode.

Typical CMOS sensors, the most common type of image sensor found in smartphones, are made of four layers: a layer of micro lenses to direct light towards the photodiodes, a color filter to detect and separate color information, a metal layer of wiring connecting the individual photodiodes, and a photodiode layer to collect light and convert it into electrical charges.

To take those high-quality images, each pixel within CMOS sensors needs to be able to hold as much light as possible, so that they can transmit accurate color information to the image signal processor. The better the image sensor, the more light its pixels are able to capture, meaning larger pixels allow for better photographs. For smartphones, however, this has presented major engineering challenges.

As the industry has trended towards slimmer devices, their interiors have less room for components. As a result, pixels have gotten smaller, making light absorption more difficult. Additionally, the typical structure of front-side illuminated (FSI) sensor means there is a wire layer in front of the photosensitive layer, blocking between 20% to 70% of light from the photodiode.1

Backside illuminated (BSI) sensors, which shave down the silicone so thin that the photodiode can be illuminated from its backside, were the first solution to this problem. But there is still the lingering challenge of crosstalk, which happens when some of the light that should hit a specific photodiode leaks to neighboring photodiodes, causing noise in the final image.

Illustrative image of FSI pixel and BSI pixel. FSI pixel formed with layers including micro lenses, color filter, metal line, photodiode and BSI pixel formed with layers including micro lens, color filter, photodiode, metal line.

While each of these problems had been addressed with a variety of solutions from different technology companies, in 2013 Samsung took them head on with the introduction of its first ISOCELL sensor, setting a new bar for excellence.

The ISOCELL Revolution

With backside illumination already addressing many of the light absorption issues, Samsung’s ISOCELL technology addressed the problems created by crosstalk. Engineers designed a physical barrier between neighboring pixels, isolating them and allowing more light to be gathered by the micro-lens and absorbed by the photodiode.

Illustrative image of BSI and ISOCELL. ISOCELL applied physical barrier between neighboring pixels.

Compared to conventional backside illumination pixels, the first generation ISOCELL pixels decreased crosstalk by approximately 30% and increased the full well capacity (FWC) by approximately 30%, resulting in higher color fidelity and tack-sharp images with greater dynamic range.2ISOCELL technology also allows for a wider chief ray angle (CRA) by capturing more oblique light, which ultimately allows for brighter lenses with wider aperture, resulting in brighter and clear pictures in low light conditions. Due to their design, ISOCELL image sensors could also reduce the height of the camera module even in high-resolution, making them ideal for the sleek form factor of modern smartphones.

Five years after the launch of ISOCELL, Samsung has taken image sensing technology even further with ISOCELL Plus.

ISOCELL Plus: The Next Evolution

In conventional ISOCELL technology, while the metal grids that isolated the color filter reduced interference between pixels, they also lead to some optical loss as they absorbed incoming light or reflected light to neighboring pixels. ISOCELL Plus replaces that metal barrier with an innovative new material developed by Fujifilm that minimizes optical loss and light reflection.

Illustrative image of ISOCELL and ISOCELL Plus. The ISOCELL Plus technology replaces the metal grid with an innovative ‘new material’ to minimize optical loss and light reflection.

The innovative upgrades of ISOCELL Plus deliver higher color fidelity and up to a 15% enhancement in light sensitivity.3 The technology also enables image sensors to equip pixels of 0.8-micrometer (µm) or smaller without any performance loss, making it an optimal solution for developing high-resolution cameras. Not only will ISOCELL Plus enable the development of ultra-high-resolution sensors with small pixels, it will also bring performance enhancements for sensors with larger pixel designs.

Since the launch of ISOCELL Plus in July 2018, Samsung has steadily expanded its image sensor lineup built on the technology.

Want to know more about ISOCELL image sensors? Visit our LinkedIn and Twitter pages to stay up to date with news on the latest and greatest image sensor technology.

1 Samsung’s internal research.

2 Tested internally on the ISOCELL image sensor and the Samsung’s conventional BSI sensor.

3 Tested internally on the ISOCELL Plus image sensor and the conventional ISOCELL image sensor.

Source: Samsung via Fujirumors

Towerjazz: It must not be easy for Nikon and others to solely rely on Sony sensors when Sony also has their own cameras

In this interview with TowerJazz posted by Charbax you can find some interesting info:

Minute 7: He confirms that some Panasonic cameras use TowerJazz sensors

Minute 8: He sees a problem in the fact that Sony is also a camera market. So for example if there is competition on the supply Sony may give themselves the benefit instead of Nikon.

Minute 12:40: He says 8K and speed are definitely coming but the rela challenge is advancaments in High Dynamic Range.

Hasselblad interview at Dpreview: “We have learnt that we should launch products when they are fully developed”

Dpreview interviewed Uwe Moebus of Hasselblad. Some highlights:

1) ‘We have learnt that we should launch products when they are ready and fully developed for the market. We have also learnt a lot from our customers over last three years about what should be improved and we tried to bring this into the new camera.

2) ‘There are fewer professional photographers and it is getting harder for professionals to make money’

3) ‘There are fewer professional photographers and it is getting harder for professionals to make money’

4) Hasselblad was never tempted to use a higher resolution sensor in this model

5) Hasselblad was caught out by the demand for the X1D and really struggled at first to produce enough units to meet its orders. Since then though the company has boosted its production line, its manufacturing processes and assembly to deal with much larger volumes than it had expected. ‘

6) 35-75mm F3.5-4.5 zoom lens. Hasselblad claims it is the best lens the company has ever made

 

Hasselblad X1DII preorder for $5,750 at BHphoto.