Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Thursday, 7 March 2013

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Thursday, 7 March 2013 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 457th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Fujifilm X-E1 review The X-E1 is the second camera to use Fujifilm's X-mount, sitting just below the range-topping X-Pro1. Despite this second-tier status, the X-E1 offers most of its big brother's features - with the main exception being the omission of the X-Pro1's clever hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder - instead the retro-styled X-E1 features a 2.3m dot OLED finder. The other key difference is that the X-E1 is available bundled with a kit zoom, rather than the prime lenses available when the Pro1 launched. However, in keeping with the premium ambitions of the X series, that kit zoom is an optically stabilized 18-55mm F2.8-4. Adobe announced improved support for Fujifilm's X-Trans sensors just in time for us to include those improvements in the review, so click here to see how the X-E1 performed (and what its Raw results can look like). Nikon Coolpix A hands-on preview Meanwhile, Nikon surprised a lot of people by joining the large-sensor, fixed lens party with its Coolpix A. The Coolpix A makes an interesting contrast to the company's 1 series of mirrorless cameras - using a larger, APS-C sensor and including a fixed 28mm equivalent F2.8 lens, it's clearly aimed at photographers who want a high-quality camera to use alongside their existing DSLR. We had a chance to get our hands on a Coolpix A to try to get a feel for how it operates and what it brings to the market. Click here to read our Nikon Coolpix A hands-on preview. Nikon also made quite an upgrade to its P series of compacts with the P330, which gains a larger sensor than its predecessor, putting it more squarely into competition with Canon's S110. Click here to find out more. Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8 II USM review Canon's 24-70mm F2.8 is the workhorse lens in many a professional photographer's kit bag, so a replacement version (even without the much hoped-for image stabilization) caused a lot of interest when it was announced early last year. This made it an obvious choice to look at, as part of our rejuvenated lens reviews. We, in collaboration with DxO Labs, have tested and reviewed the Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8 II USM. Click here to see what we found. Richard
News updates Satechi introduces BT Smart Trigger wireless shutter release for Canon Published on Thursday, February 28, 2013 6:35:13 PM GMT Accessory maker Satechi has announced the BT Smart Trigger, an iOS-controlled Bluetooth 4.0 shutter release for Canon DSLRs. It features multiple shooting modes including timelapse and long exposures, via the free Smart Trigger app. The trigger has a claimed battery life of up to 10 years and range of 50 feet. It is currently available for an introductory price of $44.99. An Android-compatible version will be available from March 2013. Read full story → Vimeo adds 'Looks' filter effects for videos Published on Thursday, February 28, 2013 7:48:46 PM GMT Video-sharing service Vimeo has partnered with video-editing company Vivoom, to add a filter effects tool called 'Looks'. More than 500 effects ranging from vintage to futuristic and can be applied during video upload. Each effect can be adjusted from 0-100% intensity. Looks will be free to Vimeo’s registered users for the next 90 days. Read more at connect.dpreview.com. Read full story → Hands-on with weatherproof Sony Xperia Z and multi-screen YotaPhone Published on Thursday, February 28, 2013 9:13:19 PM GMT Day four at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and the team at connect.dpreview.com is still at the show, visiting manufacturer stands to find the newest in smartphone and tablet camera technology. We've added brief hands-on articles of the weatherproof Sony Xperia Z tablet and multi-screen YotaPhone. Click through for links to the latest content at connect.dpreview.com. Read full story → Aptina signs patent cross-license agreement with Sony Published on Thursday, February 28, 2013 11:00:00 PM GMT Sensor maker Aptina has announced it has signed a patent cross-license agreement with Sony, that provides each company with access to the other’s patent portfolio. This agreement gives two prominent sensor makers access to some of each other's technologies for future development of cameras and other imaging products. Read full story → Samsung Galaxy S4 expected to be announced on March 14th Published on Thursday, February 28, 2013 11:04:29 PM GMT Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S4, its next flagship Android smartphone on March 14 at a press event in New York. The company took to its Twitter account this morning to tell followers to be ready '4' the next Galaxy. Read more at connect.dpreview.com Read full story → PocketWizard PlusX transceiver for wireless flash and camera triggering Published on Friday, March 1, 2013 3:00:00 PM GMT PocketWizard has added a budget model to its camera/flash radio trigger line: the PlusX 'auto-sensing' transceiver, that automatically switches between transmit and receive as needed. The PlusX offers the ability to trigger cameras and flashes over 10 radio channels. It features a side-profile design, backlit display, an internal antenna, and a dual-function LED indicating connection status plus battery life. PocketWizard PlusX will be available towards the end of March at a suggested retail price of $99. There is currently no information about the European price and availability. Read full story → Just posted: Fujifilm X-E1 Review Published on Friday, March 1, 2013 4:00:00 PM GMT Just posted: Fujifilm X-E1 review. With a sensor and imaging pipeline that is identical to the X-Pro1's the X-E1 promises much of the X-Pro1's fun in a more compact and affordable package. We've spent the past few weeks using the X-E1 intensely with the full range of lenses now available for the X-system, and have prepared a full in-depth review. Following the release of raw support from Capture 1 and much improved raw support from Adobe, the X-E1 (and X-Pro 1) just got a whole lot more appealing, too. Click through for a link to our full review.  Read full story → Nikon School to start in London from April 2013 Published on Friday, March 1, 2013 6:28:41 PM GMT Nikon has announced the launch of its Nikon School in UK. The company's education and training program that has been popular in the US for a decade will start in London from April 2013. It will offer photography courses, from beginner to advanced, to product specific courses and workshops. The company is currently offering £20 discount for online bookings. Click through for more information and links to the School's website. Read full story → Photojournalist unexpectedly documents domestic violence Published on Friday, March 1, 2013 8:51:10 PM GMT Freelance photojournalist Sara Naomi Lewkowicz recently recounted the events that led to her presence during an incident of domestic violence. The harrowing images that she captured illustrate, among other things, the extent to which this photographer was able to 'blend' into the lives of her subjects, capturing a scene in which you'd imagine an outsider would be prohibited from documenting. Yet Lewkowicz's account has drawn online detractors who question whether intervention, not documentation was the appropriate response. Read on for more details. Read full story → Think Tank releases three accessories for camera bags Published on Friday, March 1, 2013 8:53:33 PM GMT Think Tank has announced three new accessories for their camera bag line-up. The Low Rider Strap with a split-pad design attaches a second bag to one's main rolling luggage and is available for $29.75. The Pro DSLR Battery Holder, priced at $17.50 accommodates two full-sized DSLR battery packs. A limited edition Pixel Pocket Rocket holds CF and QXD memory cards. Priced at $18.75, this memory card holder was manufactured in just one production run and will be unavailable once the stocks runs out. European prices and availability information to be confirmed. Read full story → Polaroid Socialmatic concept camera may hit the market next year Published on Friday, March 1, 2013 8:56:16 PM GMT The Instagram Socialmatic concept camera, first announced in May 2012, could become a reality by next year following some recent agreements between Socialmatic LLC and C & A Marketing. The two companies would work together to bring the device to market under the Polaroid brand name. Intended as the Instagram app icon come to life, the stand-alone digital Polaroid Socialmatic Camera would both share images on the popular photo-sharing social network and print them using a built-in system. Read more about the proposed specs on connect.dpeview.com. Read full story → Phase One unveils IQ280, IQ260 and IQ260 Achromatic digital backs Published on Monday, March 4, 2013 5:52:40 PM GMT Phase One has unveiled the Wi-Fi enabled IQ260, IQ260 Achromatic and IQ280 medium format digital camera backs. The 60MP IQ260 and IQ260 Achromatic feature maximum shutter speeds of 1/10,000th of a second. The IQ260 Achromatic is a black-and-white version, with no color and IR filter. The cameras' wireless capabilities allow users to remotely capture and view images from iOS devices. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear screens with 1.15m dot resolution, and built-in accelerometers. They will be available from June 2013 at suggested retail prices starting from €29,990 /$39,990. Read full story → Canon develops high sensitivity full-frame CMOS sensor for video Published on Monday, March 4, 2013 7:30:37 PM GMT Canon has developed a 35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor designed for low-light video capture. The 16:9 sensor features a 1920x1080 pixel array, meaning each pixel measures a huge 19 microns along each edge - 7.5 times larger than the ones in the EOS-1D X. The large pixels and low readout-noise circuitry allow the sensor to capture light around 10 times less bright than current CCDs used for astronomy. The sensor will first be shown in public at a security show in Japan. Read full story → Wacom to release multi-touch mobile tablet in summer 2013 Published on Monday, March 4, 2013 7:37:38 PM GMT Graphics tablet maker Wacom has announced on Facebook it will launch a mobile multi-touch tablet this summer. While it has not posted any details about this device, Wacom's social media post says it will include a pressure-sensitive pen, multi-touch options, an HD display and 'other valuable features that you haven’t seen in other tablets'. Read full story → First Instagrams out of North Korea after opening of 3G network Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 1:02:09 AM GMT Last week North Korea started to allow foreigners to use a 3G mobile network from inside its borders. This means that tourists and visiting professionals alike can now tweet and upload instagrams from Pyongyang. However, access to mobile networks is still limited for locals. Two of the most notable Instagrammers in North Korea are Associated Press journalists Jean Lee and David Guttenfelder. Since the change, the journalists have used their accounts to present life inside North Korea. Click through to see their images. Read full story → Just Posted: Nikon Coolpix A preview - hands on with the DX compact Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT We've had a chance to use the Nikon Coolpix A - the company's DX-format, fixed-lens compact. The Coolpix A features a 16MP APS-C sensor with no optical low-pass filter and a 28mm equivalent F2.8 prime lens. Nikon has done a lot of work to make the Coolpix A consistent with its DSLRs, from its interface to its compatibility with accessories. Click through for more. Read full story → Just posted: Hands-on preview of the Nikon Coolpix P330 Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT We've just posted a hands-on preview of Nikon's latest small form-factor compact, the Coolpix P330. Externally almost identical to its predecessor the P310, the P330 features a larger 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS sensor and raw capture mode - two additions that should make it much more popular with enthusiasts, as well as putting it in direct competition with Canon's popular PowerShot S110. We've spent a little time with the P330, and for more details, images and specifications, click through to read our hands-on preview.  Read full story → Editor's opinion: Nikon's AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm F4.5-5.6G ED VR Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT Nikon's AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 G ED VR will be eagerly welcomed by many enthusiast and professional Nikon photographers who've been waiting for a replacement for its 12 year-old predecessor. The original 80-400mm was Nikon's first lens to offer vibration reduction but the intervening years have left it looking rather long in the tooth. The latest version boasts a new optical design, built-in SWM focus motor and much improved vibration reduction. In this short article, Barnaby Britton gives his opinion.  Read full story → Nikon launches 16MP DX-format Coolpix A and P330 enthusiast compacts Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT Nikon has unveiled its first DX-format compact, the Coolpix A, alongside the enthusiast-focused Coolpix P330. The Coolpix A fits a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter behind a 28mm equivalent, F2.8 prime lens. The Coolpix P330, meanwhile, gains a 1/1.7" sensor and Raw-shooting capability, over its predecessor. The Coolpix A will cost around $1100/£1000/€1100, while the P330 will retail for around $380/£350/€380. Read full story → Nikon UK launches Coolpix L320 superzoom, US announces Coolpix S3500 Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT Nikon Europe has announced the Coolpix L320 CCD-based superzoom, while Nikon USA has announced the Coolpix S3500. The 16MP L320 features a 22.5–585mm equiv. zoom lens, 3.0" LCD, 720p HD recording and runs on two AA batteries. It will be available from the end of this month at a retail price of around £199.99. Nikon USA has announced the Coolpix S3500, revealed last week in Europe. Read full story → Nikon unveils AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR telezoom Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT Nikon has launched the AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, a redesigned version of the 12-year-old 80-400mm VR. The G version features an entirely new optical formulation, ring-type AF-S focus motor and revamped VR system capable of a claimed four stops of stabilization. Read full story → Nikon posts sample images and video from Coolpix A Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 7:21:41 PM GMT Nikon has posted a gallery of ten images and a video of the new Coolpix A DX-format compact camera. The camera features a 16MP APS-C sensor with no optical low-pass filter and a 28mm equivalent F2.8 prime lens. The images that Nikon has posted are taken by documentary photographer Doug Menuez in JPEG Fine (8-bit) mode. Click through for some images and a link to the full gallery.  Read full story → Hands-on with Photosynth for Windows Phone 8 Published on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 12:38:58 AM GMT Last week Microsoft released the Windows Phone 8 version of its Photosynth 360 degree panorama app, making it compatible with latest generation smartphones such as the Nokia Lumia 920, HTC 8X or Samsung Ativ Odyssey. We installed the app on Samsung's first Windows Phone 8 device, the Ativ Odyssey, and had a closer look at what it can do. Click through for our hands-on article. Read full story → Complete our survey for the chance to win an iPad Published on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 1:45:08 AM GMT US photographic trade body PMA and dpreview.com are conducting a survey looking for the views of dedicated amateur photographers. The survey asks about your photographic habits, the features you'd like to see in cameras and your use and experience of photo sharing sites and printing services. We're aiming to get a clearer understanding of what committed non-professional photographers want from their cameras and related services and your answers may even result in those things getting a bit better - including dpreview.com. Responses will be discussed at this year's 6Sight conference. As an incentive, one lucky respondent will be sent a shiny new Apple iPad with Retina Display. Read full story → Fujifilm gives more details on lens roadmap and XF 55-200mm telezoom Published on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 12:27:26 PM GMT Fujifilm UK has given more details of the upcoming XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS telephoto zoom for its X system cameras. Full specifications include an inner focusing system driven by no fewer than four linear stepper motors, and a promise of class-leading OIS with four to five stops correction, to go alongside the maximum aperture that's half a stop faster than typical SLR lenses covering the same range. The company says the lens will be available in May 2013. Meanwhile the promised XF 23mm F1.4 R and XF 27mm F2.8 R pancake are expected to appear in the middle of the year, and the XF 56mm F1.4 R and XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS at the end of 2013. Read full story → Just posted: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens review Published on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 7:18:39 PM GMT Just posted: Our review of Canon's top-end standard zoom, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. Launched a year ago to replace its 10-year old predecessor, it's designed as a workhorse for professional photographers, and features a completely new optical design and improved, weathersealed build. In the latest of our lens reviews produced in collaboration with DxOMark, we take a look both lab and real-world performance. As usual, you can also compare it to a wide range of similar lenses using our unique lens data widget. Click through to see what we thought. Read full story → Panasonic announces upcoming firmware update for GH3 camera and lenses Published on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 7:20:53 PM GMT Panasonic has announced firmware updates for its Lumix DMC-GH3 high-end movie-focused mirrorless camera, the 14-42mm and 45-175mm power zooms and the 45-150mm. The GH3 update will allow users to connect to a computer via Wi-Fi by entering the computer name (NetBIOS names for Mac). It also adds an MP4 1080p60, 28Mbps mode to video recording. Meanwhile the lens updates promise improved autofocus performance in AF Continuous mode when mounted on the GH3. The updates will be available at the end of this month. Read full story → Online images and copyright infringement Published on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 8:06:55 PM GMT A dispute between Canadian pro photographer, Barbara Ann and Ottawa radio station HOT 89.9 illustrates the problematic climate in which companies often turn to the Internet for free photographic images. Someone at the radio station found, via a Google search, a wedding photo that was then used as part of a Keynote slide presentation made to potential advertisers. When contacted by the photographer, the station removed the image but the two parties remain far apart on an agreement over compensation. (via PetaPixel) Read full story →
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