The mirrorless 3D battle begins! Panasonic announces the first 3D lens!

Sony calls Panasonic answers! The 3D battle is getting hot and today Panasonic announced a new 3D lens which will work on all current $loc = $_SESSION[‘geoip’];

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{?>MicroFourThirds } ?> models! You just need to make a firmware upgrade…that’s it! Sadly, the the lens is expected to be sold by late 2010 and the price has also not be unveiled. The question now is what will work better? The software based 3D form Sony or the optical based 3D from Panasonic? We have to wait to get the answer.

Press release:
ThePhoblographer
DDay (italian)
Gizmodo
dpreview
engadget

Fujis Hybrid AF: A way for mirrorless cameras to catch up the AF speed of DSLR cameras?

As you all now fast autofocus is one of the main advantage of classic DSLR cameras. This because a phase detection focus usually works faster than contrast autofocus. But with the release of the F300EXR and the Z800EXR Fuji just introduced a new tecnology called Hybrid AF that will interest many of our MicroFourThirds readers! Fuji found a way to implement phase detection directly on the sensor!

You can find more information on Fujifilms website: http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/f/finepix_f300exr/features/

“Hybrid Auto Focus System NEW!
One of the disadvantages of longer zoom compacts is relatively slow auto focusing. Typical compacts rely on Contrast Detection, which works by fixing the focus by searching for contrast differentials. Some expensive cameras, including many DSLRs, use two focusing systems in tandem to improve the time taken to auto focus. Phase Detection AF works by dividing the incoming light into pairs of images and calculating the phase difference to find if the object is in front focus or back focus position. Contrast AF is generally better in low-lit scenes, while Phase Detection AF is extremely responsive in good light. Having both systems on one camera is perfect. The FinePix F300EXR uses both Contrast AF and Phase Detection AF to offer auto focus speeds as good as, or sometimes better than expensive DSLRs. To achieve the incredible AF speed of 0.158*1 seconds, Fujifilm engineers placed pairs of phase detection sensors on the EXR sensor, which work exactly like external sensors on DSLRs. The FinePix F300EXR automatically selects the optimum focus system, by measuring the amount of light or contrast in the scene. The benefit for the photographer is immediate and obvious: an almost instantaneous capture of the subject in the viewfinder, with no missed shots or subjects half out-of-frame.“

New Ricoh GXR firmware (ver. 1.18)

The new firmware is available here http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/download/firmware/gxr/

Changes:

Version 1.18 (2010. 07. 15)
No. Model applied Details
A12 S10 P10
Modified the following phenomena.
1 applied applied applied In case of attaching the cable switch (CA-1), when half-pressing the shutter release button of the CA-1, it may turn off the camera.
2 applied — — Macro AF Distance Limit option (On) may be disabled (Off) in some conditions like; replacing a camera unit from the A12 to the other one.
3 — applied — Even if a shutter speed is changed, the aperture value will not vary in case of the conditions below; S mode, AE locked.
4 — — applied Noise sound may be recorded into movies when the electrical viewfinder (VF-2) is attached.
Revised or corrected the following.
5 applied applied applied Revised the ISO sensitivity range conditions when shooting with the combination below; S mode, Shutter speed Auto Shift On, and ISO Auto/ISO Auto-Hi.
6 — applied — Corrected the display of focus distance as 19mm when the conversion lens (DW-6) is attached.
7 — — applied Revised the upper limit of the ISO sensitivity range as ISO 3200 when shooting in S mode.

Sony NEX firmware update adds 3D Sweep Panorama

Press Release:

3D update for Sony’s NEX-5/NEX-3 cameras

Free firmware adds 3D Sweep Panorama shooting

London, 1st July 2010: A new firmware update brings the excitement of 3D shooting to the NEX-5/NEX-3 interchangeable lens cameras.

Available now for free download from the Sony Europe support site, the update adds several performance enhancements plus 3D Sweep Panorama. Unique to Sony, this exciting feature makes it easy to capture dramatic panoramic images in 3D with an extra-wide field of view.

Just press the shutter button and sweep the camera from side to side. The NEX-5 and NEX-3 shoot a high-speed burst of frames that are automatically combined inside the camera to create a seamless panoramic still image containing depth information. Sweep Panoramas can be enjoyed in 3D when the camera is connected to your 3D BRAVIA or any standards-compatible 3D TV.

The update also offers other enhancements for the NEX-5/NEX-3. These include:

  • Improvement of ‘normal’ 2D Sweep Panorama shooting;

  • Decreased power drain when the camera is switched off;

  • Quicker start-up in low-light conditions.

The update is only needed for NEX-5/NEX-3 cameras with Version 01 firmware currently installed. Cameras shipped with Version 02 firmware or higher are already updated with the new features. Owners can find out what firmware version they’re currently running by selecting [MENU]/[SETUP]/[VERSION]. Registered NEX-5/NEX-3 owners will be advised of the update via email.

Download the new firmware: http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/DSLR/DSLR.aspx

Kipon to release a huge ammount of different adapters for the NEX system!

The chinese company Kipon announced that “To meet the adapter demand for SONY new NEX series mirrorless camera,belowed models are under production currently,we anticipate all will be finished before July 16.“
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Following adapters are going to be released:

L/M-NEX
L39-NEX
L/R-NEX
NIKON-NEX
NIKON G-NEX
SONY-NEX
MD-NEX
OM-NEX
PK-NEX
C-NEX
ALPA-NEX
CONTAX G-NEX
CONTAREX-NEX
M42-NEX
T2-NEX
ROLLEI-NEX
EXAKTA-NEX
FD-NEX
CONTAX/YASHICA-NEX
TILT NIKON-NEX
TILT M42-NEX
TILT CONTAX/YASHICA-NEX
TILT L/R-NEX?