Western Digital announces the first 1Terabyte SD card!

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The crazy Megapixel race on cameras will never be over. And so it comes that today we got our very first 1 Terabyte SD card!

This is the press release:

COLOGNE, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PHOTOKINA – Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a global storage technology and solutions leader, today unveiled its SanDisk® 1TB terabyte (TB) SDXC™ card prototype at the world’s leading trade fair for photo and video professionals. With increasing demand for high resolution content, such as 4K and 8K, the company continues to push the boundaries of technology with solutions that support the exponential growth of data-intensive production demands.

“Showcasing the most advanced imaging technologies is truly exciting for us,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product management, Content Solutions Business Unit, Western Digital. “Sixteen years ago we introduced the first SanDisk 64MB SD™ card and today we are enabling capacities of 1TB. Over the years our goal has remained the same; continue to innovate and set the pace for the imaging industry. The SanDisk 1TB SD card prototype represents another significant achievement as growth of high-resolution content and capacity-intensive applications such as virtual reality, video surveillance and 360 video, are progressing at astounding rates.”

Since the introduction of the record-breaking 512GB SanDisk Extreme PRO® SDXC UHS-I Memory Card at Photokina 2014, Western Digital has proven it can nearly double the capacity in the same SD card form factor using proprietary technology. Higher capacity cards expand the possibilities for professional videographers and photographers, giving them even greater ability to create more of the highest quality content, without the interruption of changing cards.

“Just a few short years ago the idea of a 1TB capacity point in an SD card seemed so futuristic – it’s amazing that we’re now at the point where it’s becoming a reality. With the growing demand for applications like VR, we can certainly use 1TB when we’re out shooting continuous high-quality video. High-capacity cards allow us to capture more without interruption, streamlining our workflow, and eliminating the worry that we may miss a moment because we have to stop to swap out cards,” said Sam Nicholson, CEO of Stargate Studios and member of the American Society of Cinematographers.

Western Digital will be demonstrating the SanDisk 1TB SDXC card prototype and showcasing its newest offerings at Photokina, Hall 02.1 Stand A014.

And this is the new Olympus E-M1II….

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Olympus announced two new cameras and three new lenses. But the hottest item will be available for preorder in late 2016 only and ship in 2017. The E-M1II is yet not ready (and it seems handheld high resolution mode is still a work in progess). Check out the special E-M1II page at GetOlympus to get all info. And here are the preorder to the new E-PL8 and the three new MFT lenses:

Preorders:
E-PL8 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, GetOlympus. Amazon.de.
25mm f/1.2 PRO at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, GetOlympus. Amazon.de.
12-100mm f/4.0 PRO at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, GetOlympus. Amazon.de.
30mm macro at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, GetOlympus. Amazon.de.
FL-900r flash at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon.de.

Fuji GFX medium format mirrorless camera announced!

Oh dear Fuji what you did to me today! My wife is leaving me because I am using our life savings for this one: A new GFX medium format camera! Just joking of course. But Fuji really did somethign amazing here. I am sorry to say that it doens’t look that good for Hasselblad anymore. The GFX is cheaper ($10,00 with kit lens) has an interchangeable viewfinder and great controls.

The highlights in short (via Fujirumors):

  • GF lenses can resolve over 100MP
  • GF120mm Macro
  • GF 63mmF2.8 WR
  • GF 32-61mmF4 WR
  • 6 lenses coming
  • 43.8 x 32.9mm CMOS Sensor
  • 51.4 MP
  • 1/4000 shutter speed
  • interchangeable Viewfinder + tilting viewfinder
  • tethered shooting
  • shutter speed dial
  • ISO dial
  • joysitck for faster AF selection
  • available early 2017
  • no pricing fixed… but target is with body + 63mm + viewfinder under 10,000 dollar
  • LCD on the top

Join the Fujifilm GFX facebook group now ! And here are the images (Click on them to see the full size version):

This is the official press text:

Valhalla, N.Y., September 19, 2016 – In response to unprecedented interest from professional photographers, FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announces the development of the new medium format FUJIFILM GFX mirrorless digital camera system that will deliver unmatched and exceptional image quality. The innovative GFX system will reach a new Fujifilm photographic standard, and support its ongoing commitment to providing the total imaging solution for photographers.

Photographic Excellence and Innovation
Over the course of its proud history that extends over 80 years, Fujifilm has developed
and manufactured photographic films with advanced image resolution, outstanding
color reproduction and tonal qualities to meet the needs of professional photographers as well as photo enthusiasts. Fujifilm offers an extensive range of professional cameras under the consistent philosophy that “a camera is a tool for capturing your creative vision,” and high quality FUJINON lenses are an indispensable part of that commitment. All of the technologies and expertise of Fujifilm have been amassed to develop the new GFX, which uses a medium-format sensor to achieve the highest level of image quality and a completely new type of mirrorless system, and its companion FUJINON GF lenses.

FUJIFILM GFX 50S
The FUJIFILM GFX 50S mirrorless digital camera will feature the new FUJIFILM G Format 43.8 x 32.9mm sensor with an astonishing 51.4MP resolution and six FUJINON GF Lenses that will be introduced sequentially in early 2017.

Professional-use Mirrorless Camera System
As a long-term manufacturer of photographic films and medium-format film cameras,
Fujifilm was always aware of the impact that different formats have on
photographic expressions. Using a larger format gives an ultimate enhancement to a
camera’s ability to capture “texture,” “depth” and “dimension,” which cannot be attained even by substantially increasing the sensor’s pixel count.

Since the launch of the X Series, an increasing number of professional photographers
and photo enthusiasts expressed their desire to achieve the ultimate photographic expression with the X Series’ signature color reproduction. The GFX camera system with the G Format is Fujifilm’s response to their requests.

The FUJIFILM GFX 50S 51.4MP sensor can be adapted to various aspect
ratios, including 4:3 (default), 3:2, 1:1, 4:5, 6:7 and 6:17, which were available in large and medium format film cameras. The GFX 50S will use the high-performance “X-Processor Pro” imaging processor to provide Fujifilm’s outstanding color and tone reproduction at an extremely high level. The result is the ultimate capability in photographic expressions that only Fujifilm can deliver thanks to its extensive knowledge in film and medium-format cameras.

Revolutionary Design Concept
The FUJIFILM GFX 50S revolutionizes the concept of medium-format cameras, and compared to conventional medium-format digital SLR cameras, the GFX is lighter in weight, and achieves a far more compact form factor. With regards to functionality, the camera follows in the footsteps of the X Series by featuring numerous physical buttons and dials, and is designed with an ergonomic grip, shaped carefully and optimized for the camera body and lenses.

The FUJIFILM GFX 50S will feature a detachable electronic viewfinder, which users can remove when using an external monitor or wanting to make the system even lighter. In addition, an optional adapter makes it possible to fit the EVF at any angle, giving greater freedom in the
choice of shooting angle. Other optional accessories that will be available at launch include the Vertical Battery Grip, which enhances functionality when shooting in the portrait orientation. The camera also supports tethered shooting, which has become an essential part of the professional photographers’ workflow, and will be compatible with various RAW conversion application software.

Newly-developed FUJINON Lenses
The FUJIFILM GFX 50S will use newly-designed FUJINON lenses with a new lens mount for highest performance and image quality.

A new lineup of FUJINON GF lenses, designed specifically for the GFX, supports the
new G Mount. Taking advantage of the mirrorless system’s structure, the G Mount has
the short flange back distance of just 26.7mm to shorten the back focus distance as
much as possible. This prevents vignetting to achieve edge-to-edge sharpness of the
world’s highest level.

The initial lineup will include the following six FUJINON lenses:
1. Standard prime “GF63mmF2.8 R WR” (equivalent to 50mm in the 35mm format)
2. Wide-angle standard zoom “GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR” (equivalent to 25-51mm in
35mm format)
3. Mid-telephoto macro 1:0.5 “GF120mmF4 Macro R LM OIS WR” (equivalent to
95mm in 35mm format)
4. Fast aperture mid-telephoto “GF110mmF2 R LM WR” (equivalent to 87mm in 35mm format)
5. Ultra-wide “GF23mmF4 R LM WR” (equivalent to 18mm in 35mm format)
6. Wide “GF45mmF2.8 R WR” (equivalent to 35mm in 35mm format)

Additional Features
The new FUJINON lenses will feature an aperture ring, a popular feature in the X Series, and have a new C (Command) Position on the ring to enable aperture adjustments with the Command Dial on the camera body. Each lens will be dust and weather resistant, built to withstand operation at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit \ -10 degrees Celsius allowing photographers to take them outdoors with confidence in challenging weather conditions.

FUJIFILM GFX 50S Key Features:

  • 51.4MP Medium Format 43.8 x 32.9mm sensor for superior sharpness and

image quality for all professional photographers

  • Can be adapted to various aspect ratios, including 4:3 (default), 3:2, 1:1, 4:5, 6:7 and 6:17
  • FUJIFILM “G Mount” with short flange back distance of just 26.7mm
  • “X-Processor Pro” imaging processor
  • Detachable electronic viewfinder
  • Weather and dust resistant; operates as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit \ -10 degrees Celsius

Availability and Pricing
The new FUJIFILM GFX system will be available in early 2017 in the U.S. with pricing to be announced at a later date.

Panasonic releases the G80 and three new Leica MFT lenses. And pre-announces the GH5!

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Panasonic announce three “ready” and four “in development” products :)

The three available for preorder now:
G85: BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon.
FZ2500: BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon.
Lx10: BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon.

But Panasonic also “pre-annoucned” these four:
The Panasonic GH5 will arrive in 2017 with 4K/60fps, 4:2:2, 6K photo
Three new Leica lenses: 8-18mm f/2.8-4.0, 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0, 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0.

And this is a real world image of the new GH5:

Leica announces five new SL Lenses

leica-lens-roadmap

Leica is going to launch five new SL lenses:
Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH (image below)
Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH
Leica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH.
Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH
Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH

via ePhotozine

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