Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Monday, 26 September 2011

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Monday, 26 September 2011 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 459th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Nikon: beyond the looking-glass The biggest news this week was, of course, the launch of Nikon's mirrorless, interchangeable-lens camera system. The Nikon 1 system uses what the company is calling a 'CX' sized sensor, making it about half the size of the sensors in the Four Thirds cameras but still four times the size of the sensor in most consumer compacts. And it's this latter consideration that is significant since, (eye-watering) price aside, the J1 and V1 appear to be aimed at the kinds of the kind of buyers who want more capability than their compacts can offer but don't want a DSLR. The launch has prompted a vicious backlash on both the forums and comments sections of the site. The high price, surprisingly large bodies and relatively small sensor being the main targets. We have to presume that Nikon has made this choice because the small sensor should mean very high-speed data transfers and lenses with small, light elements that make it easier to provide really fast contrast-detection autofocus. At least in the short-term it looks like Nikon believes keen photographers are better-served by DSLRs. In addition to the news reports, we published images live from the camera's launch in New York, wrote an opinion piece suggesting why the move might make sense for Nikon and prepared our first impressions of the cameras and what they represent. Olympus E-PL3 reviewed and 45mm F1.8 lens samples published In amongst all the excitement, we also published our review of the Olympus E-PL3. It's the third iteration of the PEN Lite concept - a lighter, less expensive PEN model that offers less direct control but much of the capability of the flagship E-P3. It's built around the familiar 12MP sensor used in all the existing PEN models but has gained a tilt-flip rear LCD and received an extensive re-style. The result is a small, good-looking camera that can use an increasingly extensive range of Panasonic and Olympus Micro Four Thirds lenses. Click here to find out what we thought. That range includes, for instance, the new Olympus 45mm F1.8 'family portrait' lens. We've long hoped a manufacturer would make such a lens so rushed straight out with it and assembled a preview samples gallery. A full lens review will follow in the coming weeks but, for now, we've written a 'first impressions' article describing the experience. Sony SLT -A35 review It seems a long time since Sony's SLT cameras were centre of attention (despite it only being a week or so) but we've been working away on a review of the simplest model in the lineup - the A35. It offers much of the capability of the original A55, loses the tilt-flip screen but gains a revised, lower-power version of the sensor, promising better battery life and greater video recording longevity. Is this easy-to-overlook update the camera to upset the entry-level DSLR market? Click here to read our review. All this activity hasn't stopped us continuing to add to the new articles section, with book reviews, technique guides and informative pieces to peruse. We hope you enjoy them. Richard
News updates Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.8 first impressions and samples Published on 19 September 2011 09:00:22 GMT Olympus 45mm F1.8 first impressions and preview samples. The recent spate of camera and lens announcements has given us the chance to use the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.8. Given how long we've been asking manufacturers for a portrait lens in the 100mm-equivalent region, we pounced on this when it came into the office. As well as a preview samples gallery, we've also prepared some first impressions of shooting with the Micro Four Thirds 'Family Portrait' lens. Read full story → Just posted: Our in-depth Olympus E-PL3 review Published on 20 September 2011 01:46:09 GMT We've published our Olympus PEN Lite/E-PL3 review along with studio comparison shots fron the Sony NEX-5N. The E-PL3 squeezes much of the capability of its big brother, the E-P3, into a smaller, simplified body. It gains the faster autofocus and Full HD (60i) video of the third-generation PEN models, while it also adds a tilting LCD and 5fps burst shooting mode. These all represent significant improvements over the larger, heavier E-PL2 it replaces. Could this be the mirrorless model that would-be compact camera upgraders should be looking to? Read full story → Adobe announces Photoshop Elements 10 Published on 20 September 2011 09:30:28 GMT Adobe has released version 10 of its Photoshop Elements image-editing software. New features include Guided Edits, which guide users step-by-step through the process of achieving certain image looks, and a range of image organization options. Several tools have been updated too, including the text and crop tools. There's also an option to upload videos directly to sharing sites such as Facebook and YouTube. The software will be available shortly for $99.99, alternatively users of any previous version can upgrade for $79.99. The company has simultaneously released version 10 of its Premiere Elements video-editing software at the same price; a bundle containing both programs will also be available for $149.99. Read full story → Instagram v2.0 offers faster processing, larger images and more options Published on 20 September 2011 20:09:38 GMT Instagram has updated its popular free image processing and sharing app to version 2.0, adding an revised interface and more features. Instagram v2.0 includes an improved user interface, faster image processing and the ability to save its processed images at higher resolution. The app still only shares low-res versions of files but allows you to save full resolution versions to your 'phone (10x larger in the case of the iPhone 4). The latest version also adds four more processing filters and the option to add or remove borders from the existing ones. Read full story → Canon adds AirPrint wireless capability to PIXMA WiFi printers Published on 20 September 2011 21:03:03 GMT Canon has announced that three of its recently released wireless all-in-one PIXMA printers can now support 'AirPrint' wireless printing from Apple iOS devices. The PIXMA MG8220, MG6220 and MG5320 all gain the ability to print wirelessly from the iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 4 and iPod touches (3rd generation or newer), running iOS 4.2 or later. Canon also says it will offer AirPrint support on the majortiy of future models. Read full story → Sony SLT-A35 review published Published on 20 September 2011 21:27:26 GMT We've published our review of the Sony SLT-A35. This latest model in Sony's series of 'translucent mirror' cameras incorporates almost all the features of the original A33 and A55 but includes what Sony promises is an improved 16MP sensor, and handful of extra processing options. The only real losses compared to the A33 are the articulated rear screen and $50 from the MSRP of the 18-55mm lens kit, taking it down to $699. Is this enough to compete in the crowded entry-level segment? Read our review to find out. Read full story → Nikon announces Nikon 1 system with V1 small sensor mirrorless camera Published on 21 September 2011 04:02:36 GMT Nikon has announced the V1 enthusiast small sensor mirrorless camera. Built around what the company is calling a 'CX' format 10MP CMOS sensors, the cameras is part of the company's new Nikon 1 line. The V1 is intended as the higher-end model in the lineup and features magnesium alloy construction and a 1.4M dot electronic viewfinder. It also has an accessory port allowing the connection of the SB-N5 mini speedlight or GP-N100 GPS unit. Unlike the J1, it can switch between mechanical and electronic shutter. In common with the J1, in can shoot 1080i60 or 1080p30 video and combines phase detection and contrast detection autofocus, in movie shooting or 10fps continuous bursts. The 1" type sensor (13.2mm x 8.8mm) gives a 2.7x crop. The V1 kit with 10-30mm (27-81mm equiv.) lens will be $899.95 and will be available around October 20th. An adapter allowing the use of Nikon F-mount lenses will follow. Read full story → Nikon releases four '1 Nikkor lenses' for Nikon 1 system Published on 21 September 2011 04:21:20 GMT Alongside the J1 and V1, Nikon has launched four lenses for its Nikon 1 system. The lenses, designed for the 1"-type CX sensors, start with the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm F3.5-5.6, 27-81mm equivalent kit zoom. In additon there will be a 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm F3.8-5.6 lens, which gives a 81-297mm equiv range. Finally there will be the 27mm equiv. 1 Nikkor 10mm F2.8 pancake lens. There will also be a 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 (27-270mm equivalent) power zoom lens for video capture. Read full story → Nikon unveils J1 small sensor mirrorless camera as part of Nikon 1 system Published on 21 September 2011 05:19:01 GMT Nikon has announced the J1 small sensor mirrorless camera. The J1 is the more compact, less expensive model in the line up and, like the V1, features Hybrid autofocus (combining phase detection and contrast detection AF) that allows the camera to shoot at up to 10 frames-per-second with autofocus. The J1 has only an electronic shutter, limiting sync speed to 1/60th of a second but allowing shutter speeds of up to 1/16000th of a second. It's built around a 1" type (13.2mm x 8.8mm) 10MP CMOS sensor, giving a 2.7x crop, which Nikon is calling 'CX' format. Like the V1, it can shoot 1080i60 video. The J1 kit with 10-30mm (27-81mm equiv.) lens will be $649.95. Again, the J1 is expected to arrive in the US around October 20th. Read full story → Hands-on images from the Nikon 1 launch, including mock-up lenses Published on 21 September 2011 05:42:21 GMT Live report from the New York launch of the Nikon 1 system. Dpreview.com attended the unveiling of Nikon's new mirrorless camera system, which included the launch of the J1 and V1 cameras. We had a chance to handle the cameras and their associated accessories. Here are our images from the event, including mock-ups of possible future lenses. Read full story → Nikon V1 and J1 - hands-on first impressions Published on 21 September 2011 20:12:10 GMT We've had a little more time with the Nikon J1 and V1, and have prepared a first impressions article about the Nikon 1 system. We also spoke to Masahiro Suzuki, General Manager, R&D Department at Nikon's development HQ, to better understand the company's reasoning. The article includes an explanation of their high-speed shooting modes and addresses why the mode dial doesn't say P,A,S or M. Read full story → Nikon J1 real-world samples gallery Published on 22 September 2011 07:36:20 GMT We've published a gallery of 23 images shot with the Nikon J1. We've shot a selection of images using the Nikon J1 - the simpler of the company's two 'Nikon 1' cameras. Combined with the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, we've taken a variety of real-world images in a variety of light conditions. Given all the controversy the J1 and V1 have generated, we thought it made sense to look at some of its images. We've also included 5 raw files for you to examine. Read full story → Article: How to take great pictures of seascapes Published on 22 September 2011 19:12:28 GMT Josie Reavely writes about how to capture something interesting and different from the coast. Beautiful seascapes shot in stunning locations can really enhance your image collection. Read the tips in this article to increase your chances of success and get your images of the coastline to the next level. Read full story → Book review: Saul Leiter- Early Color Published on 23 September 2011 18:18:13 GMT Barnaby Britton takes a look at the work of New York photographer Saul Leiter. Although not as well-known as some of his contemporaries, Leiter is considered one of the most interesting photographers of his generation. This collection, 'Early Color' showcases some of his early experiments with color film and reveals a unique eye. Read full story → Photographers and publishers discuss making money from apps Published on 23 September 2011 18:48:13 GMT The British Journal of Photography has published two articles about photographers using the iPad and Apple's App Store to make money from their work. In one, publisher Michael Mack explains the logic and challenges of producing photography books for tablets. Meanwhile National Geographic photographer Michael Nichols explains why an attempt to update his website ended up with him selling an app through Apple's store. (BJoP via PetaPixel) Read full story → Sony offers NEX-5N adjustment for users experiencing video clicking Published on 24 September 2011 01:52:30 GMT Sony has posted a note on its support site saying it will modify NEX-5N cameras of users troubled by clicking noises during video recording. The company points out that the phenomenon only occurs: 'if the camera undergoes sudden motion while recording; motion generally inconsistent with smooth video recording.' But has said it will make an 'adjustment' to the cameras (during the warranty period) of users who feel they're likely to encounter the issue. The company doesn't say that only people combining jogging with their videography need apply, but... Read full story → Article: 3D Video Primer: Part 2 Published on 24 September 2011 13:00:14 GMT In this second part of our 2-part primer, we look at who's who in the consumer 3D video market, and how they see the market evolving. What is driving the current upsurge of 3D? Improvements in the technology, pressure from manufacturers desperate to create and monitize the next 'big thing' in consumer electronics, or consumers themselves? Read our article to find out. Read full story →