Mayflower posted a completely different theory that explains why the digital compact camera and the system camera sales are falling dramatically.
They blame the poor usability and lack of customer oriented camera development. In short it’s time for the camera manufacturers to develop a sort of iPhone alike friendly camera. Ok that was veeeery simplified from me :)
Canon today announced the new EOS-M3 mirrorless camera and the G3X 1 inch sensor fixed lens high end compact. Of course both cameras somewhat get less attention because of the release of a 50 megapixel DSLR (here on Amazon).
Anyway, there are also two strange facts: The EOS_M3 will NOT(!) be sold in USA and the G3X is just a prototype yet.
Here is the full EOS-M3 press release:
The power of EOS, only smaller – the EOS M3
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 6 February 2015 – Canon today reveals the EOS M3 – a powerful Compact System Camera created for enthusiast photographers who demand premium performance. Fusing Canon’s unrivaled image quality and DSLR-levels of control in a compact body, the EOS M3 offers the ability to capture the world around you in exceptional detail. At the heart of the EOS M3 is Canon’s first 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and its most advanced image processor, DIGIC 6, delivering premium quality stills and Full HD Movies. Combined with super-fast AF performance, thanks to a new Hybrid CMOS AF III and 49-point AF System, this camera gives you the freedom to capture the beauty of movement. As an advanced photographer you’ll find everything you need at your fingertips, with intuitive DSLR-like dials and control, as well as the flexibility to change your lens, all shrunk down into a compact, ergonomic body to take with you wherever you go.
Beauty and power in the palm of your hand
From city skylines and enchanting landscapes, to urban art and eye-catching portraits, the EOS M3 delivers clarity, rich colour and distinctive detail, with every image, using the 24.2 MP sensor. As light starts to fade and dusk descends, the EOS M3 excels, with the sensor’s vast 100-12,800 ISO range providing vivid, realistic and low-noise shots in even the most challenging of light situations.
Constructed for speed, whether you’re shooting an elusive animal on safari, or street performers on a city break, the subject of your shot will be in focus, with the EOS M3’s 49-point AF system and innovative new Hybrid CMOS AF III technology delivering lightning fast performance; focusing up to 6.1x faster than the original EOS M.
Putting you in control – iconic EOS design and controls
The EOS M3 incorporates the quintessential EOS design DNA and is instantly comfortable in the palm of your hand thanks to the fluid design grip. Direct access to a range of controls, including an exposure compensation dial, main control dial and customisable buttons, let you adjust the camera’s settings to suit your shooting style.
For complete framing versatility, the large 7.5cm (3.0”) LCD touchscreen tilts up 180 degrees and down 45 degrees, to help you shoot from all angles, while also making multi-touch gestures a finger tap away. The screen also gives you access to Canon’s intuitive touch menu system found on EOS DSLRs.
The EOS M3 is a camera to make your own, with customisable controls, a hot shoe for Canon’s Speedlite flashes and optional tilt-type electronic viewfinder. Compatibility with EF-M lenses, including a choice of pancake and zoom lenses, means you can shoot any situation. Plus, with Creative Assist, the EOS M3 can be controlled from the touch screen interface, and the effects previewed in real time as you shoot. Settings such as brightness, background blur, vividness of colour, contrast, warmth and filter effects can be altered, and combinations can be saved to be called upon again when you need them, helping you shoot like a pro every time.
Movies worth remembering
Budding movie makers can shoot precious moments in Full HD quality, with a choice of 24p, 25p and 30p frame rates, and MP4, for easy sharing. You can be sure that your favourite people and places will always be in focus, with advanced Hybrid CMOS AF III providing continuous AF. For more experienced shooters, Touch AF gives you the flexibility to select AF points on the LCD even with moving subjects, and create professional-looking pull focus effects. For full control, Manual Movie puts you in the director’s seat, with complete aperture, shutter and ISO control, for stunningly creative results.
Power to control and share
With the power to capture beautiful stills, comes the flexibility to remotely control the camera and transfer images, using integrated Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. Ideal for shooting in unusual situations and positions for unique perspectives, remote shooting via the new Camera Connect app lets you control the camera’s key functions. Dynamic NFC enables single touch image transfers to smart devices while the auto-sync functionality means you can upload all your images to Canon’s cloud storage service, irista, for instant back-up and peace of mind.
EOS M3 key benefits:
Performance and creativity, in an EOS you can take everywhere
Be spontaneous. Enjoy fast, responsive focusing
Take control of your photography and watch your creativity grow
Be as imaginative with movies as you are with photos
Remote camera control and image sharing via Wi-Fi
Pricing and availability
The EOS M3 will be available from April 2015 with a RSP of £599.99 / €769.99.
Image courtesy: AllAboutSamsung.de
With all those big cool announcements and leaks the new Samsung NX3300 launch got unnoticed on the web :)
The camera is basically a NX3000 with faster processor and minimal optical change. Thanks AllAboutSamsung.de for sharing the pics!
And here it is the new Olympus E-M5II It got announced today along a long list of accessories.
Preorders:
E-M5II body in Black or Silver at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto
14-150mm II lens at Adorama, BHphoto
FL-LM3 Flash at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto
Olympus ECG-2 External Metal Grip at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto
Olympus HLD-6P Battery Grip at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto
HLD-8g at Amazon, Adorama,
E-P16 eyecup at Amazon, Adorama,
HLD-8G and HLD-6P kit at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto
Full leather case at Amazon, Adorama,
Olympus PT-EP13 Underwater Housing at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto
Previews and tests: First impression at Dpreview, Hands-on review at ePhotozine, First impressions by ThePhoBlographer, Test by DSLRmagazine (Spanish), First impression by Russian reviewer Dimitri Kroupski (Russian of course), Spanish analysis at Quesabesde, First impression Steve Huff,
Image samples: On Flickr.
Videos: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Hands-On Field Test by TheCameraStoreTV:
Olympus OM-D E-M5 MarkII (Youtube), Olympus EM5 Mark 2 versus a DLSR (Youtube), Olympus OM-D E-M5 MarkII The Runner (Youtube), 5-Axis Image Stabilization (Youtube). London Taxi – A short film shot on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II (Vimeo).
Press text: E-M5II: Dpreview, BHphoto, Photographyblog, SystemKameraForum, DSLRmagazine, Quesabesde, ePhotozine, Focus Numerique, DC.watch, 14-150mm II: Dpreview, Photographyblog, ePhotozine, ThePhoBlographer, DSLRmagazine, DC.watch, E-M1 firmware: Dpreview, Photographyblog, ePhotozine Focus Numerique, 8mm f/1.8 fisheye: Dpreview, Photographyblog, SystemKameraForum, DSLRmagazine, Quesabesde, ePhotozine, Focus Numerique, DC.watch, Olympus launches the Air clip: Dpreview, DC.watch, TG-860 compact: Dpreview, Cool E-M5II accessory range graph at ePhotozine.
At last the big Samsung NX1 firmware can be downloaded at Samsung. Because of the many improvements you get also the NX1 manual got an update (pdf here).
Firmware Improvements:
Movie Mode:
New Gamma options, normal gamma, C gamma and DR Gamma. With C and DR gamma users can also customise colour, saturation, sharpness, contrast and hue.
Added Video AF speed control for more cinematic refocusing (3 settings)
Video AF responsiveness control in 5 steps (dictates camera’s readiness to change AF subject)
ISO adjustable during movie capture
Audio levels adjustable during movie capture
23.98p and 24p frame rates for 3840×2160 and 1920×1080 video
Output time code (Free Run) over HDMI (for use with external recorders)
Wider range of display options, including gridline, center, aspect ratio and action-safe area markers
General improvement in the image quality of FHD video
‘Pro’ movie quality setting added for 1080 capture
AF / Manual Focus and SAF / CAF toggling in movie mode
Autofocus lock option in movie mode
Photo:
Now possible to turn off the NR in Bulb mode
When setting Auto ISO, the automatically chosen ISO value is displayed in real time
Can now select from four AF area sizes when using CAF + Multi AF
Able to use Exposure Compensation in M mode
Customization:
Wi-Fi and [REC] buttons functions can be swapped
AF On and AEL buttons functions can be swapped
Depth of Field Preview and Delete buttons are customizable and additional functions are available on custom buttons
Added ISO or Exposure Compensation to command dial (customizable per PASM mode)
Command dials direction of operation can be reversed
Exposure/Focus Separation on/off option
Other enhancements:
Smartphone App can operate as simplified remote release using Bluetooth (The Samsung Camera Manager App must be updated through the Google Play Store)
Checks for and installs firmware updates over Wi-Fi
Tethered shooting now supported via ‘Samsung Remote Studio’ with Windows (Software downloadable from i-Launcher)
Selecting and grabbing frames from video
Menu re-arranged for improved usability
Voigtlander announced the price of the new 15mm Heliar III M-mount lens. It will cost 749 Euro. Still no info on the 10,5mm Nokton for MFT lens price. But it’s rumored to be around 1200 Euro.
