Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Wednesday, 27 August 2014

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Wednesday, 27 August 2014 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 524th Digital Photography Review newsletter. We're squeezing out the last dregs of the summer here in DPReview's Seattle offices, making the most of the last few really sunny weekends before autumn arrives. The ground needs the rain, but the past couple of months have been glorious, and full of photographic opportunities. We've been posting plenty of sample galleries recently - take a look in our new features index page. In the meantime, here are a few other content highlights from the past few days: X-Trans excellence? Fujifilm X30 First Impressions Review Fujifilm's new X30 premium compact is an intriguing piece of kit, with a larger-than-average sensor and reasonably fast lens. While not a revolutionary upgrade to the X20, it still provides some nice improvements. After some play time, we've put together a First Impressions Review that spells out what's new and what's not. Click here to read our first-impressions review of the Fujifilm X30 Part two: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 / Sony Alpha 7S Comparative Review Our comparative review of the Panasonic GH4 and Sony Alpha 7S started with a look at their designs, handling and video spec. Between them they've set new benchmarks for the sophistication of their video capabilities, but they're both potentially very capable stills cameras as well. That brings us to part two of our review, which adds six pages including analysis of image quality and dynamic range. We've also expanded our look at the video modes on each camera. Take a look at our expanded comparison of the GH4 and A7S. Read part 2 of our comparative review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 and Sony Alpha 7S Camera roundups 2014: What to buy and why We've updated two of our 2013 camera roundups, bringing the enthusiast compact and consumer DSLR categories up to date with the latest models. These guides are designed to help give a comprehensive look at each camera class. We'll be addressing the remaining four roundups in the coming weeks. View our updated camera roundups Readers' Showcase: Macro Photography While it's easy to get swept up in the stream of announcements over the next few weeks, it's also a good idea to remember why we buy that gear - to make great photos. What better way to do it than to showcase the excellent work of our own community? This week we asked users of our Macro and Still Life Photography forum to submit their favorite macro shots for inclusion in our Readers' Showcase. Unsurprisingly, we saw a lot of great work. Click here to take a look at our gallery of readers' images Portfolio: Todd Bretl's captivating underwater photography Todd Bretl says he asks himself 'Would I hang this on my wall?' when he's composing his photos of marine life. Challenging himself with this question has helped him produce some stunning works of art. Some of his images call to mind glass sculpture, while others capture the wildness that thrives below the water's surface. He answered our questions about his process and gear - take a look at some of his work and find out more about how it's created. Click here to read more and see a gallery of Todd's images What's coming up? Work continues on the Nikon D810, and we're finishing up our look at the Panasonic GH4 and Sony Alpha A7S with more detail on their video features and performance in the next few days. It's unlikely that the Fujifilm X30 was the last pre-Photokina camera we'll see, either and I'm expecting a few more briefings from manufacturers before we head to Germany next month. Things are about to get busy! See you next week. Barney GearShop update - a message from the team Not every camera gets the prestigious Gold Award, but it gets even better when it's available for $200 off. The Olympus OM-D M5 received high marks for its high-ISO performance and its outstanding image quality. It features an articulated LCD with touchscreen controls, RAW shooting, and manual controls… and right now you can save $200 off its list price. For the DSLR user, the Gold-awarded Canon EOS 70D is available for $100 less than list price. This top-quality camera, also with a touchscreen LCD interface, offers DSLR shooters a unique way to interface with their craft. Until next week - the GearShop Team
News updates Part two: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 / Sony Alpha 7S Comparative Review Published on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 7:05:21 PM GMT Our comparative review of the Panasonic GH4 and Sony Alpha 7S started with a look at their designs, handling and video spec. They've set new benchmarks for the sophistication of their video capabilities, but they're both potentially very capable stills cameras as well. That brings us to part two of our review, which adds six pages including analysis of image quality and dynamic range. We've also expanded our look at the video modes on each camera. Read more Read full story → Instagram Hyperlapse app creates smooth time-lapse video Published on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 6:35:44 PM GMT Last week Microsoft announced development of a technology that turns shaky first-person video into smooth, stabilized hyperlapse videos. Now it appears that Instagram has beaten them to market with a similar product. They've announced Hyperlapse, an app that converts videos of up to 45 minutes into smooth and stable time-lapses with a speed of up to 12x faster than the original. Read more Read full story → Opinion: Do we really need the Fuji X30? Published on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 2:00:00 PM GMT With the camera industry moved on somewhat since the birth of the Fuji X series compact, is there still room for a 12 million pixel compact in a less-than compact body? In this opinion piece, senior contributing writer Damien Demolder ponders the very existence of Fujifim's newest X-series camera. Read more Read full story → X-Trans excellence? Fujifilm X30 First Impressions Review Published on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 5:00:00 AM GMT Fujifilm's new X30 premium compact is an intriguing piece of kit, with a larger-than-average sensor and reasonably fast lens. While not a revolutionary upgrade to the X20, it still provides some nice improvements. After some play time, we've put together a First Impressions Review that spells out what's new and what's not. Read full story → The X-factor: Hands-on with Fujifilm's X30 Published on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 5:00:00 AM GMT The X30, Fujifilm's latest enthusiast compact camera, offers the same 12MP sensor and 28-112mm (equivalent) lens as the X20 but improves on its predecessor with updated ergonomics. Changes include a new electronic viewfinder, a tilting screen, and Wi-Fi. We've had access to a prototype X30 for a few days - click through for a hands-on tour of the new camera.  Read full story → Fujifilm announces X30 enthusiast compact camera Published on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 5:00:00 AM GMT Fujfilm has introduced its X30 enthusiast compact, which offers a 2/3" X-Trans II CMOS sensor and a 28-112mm equivalent F2.0-2.8 lens - both of which are retained from the X20 that precedes it. New features include a larger, tilting 3" LCD, an XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, a control wheel around the lens, and greatly improved battery life. A new 'Classic Chrome' film simulation mode has also been added, as has Wi-Fi. Read more Read full story → DxOMark Mobile Report added to our HTC One M8 review Published on Monday, August 25, 2014 9:01:40 PM GMT With top-notch hardware and plenty of imaging features, the HTC One M8 presents a lot to like as a mobile photography tool. Unfortunately, its 4 megapixel camera just can't keep up with other flagship phones and we were underwhelmed by its image quality when we reviewed it. Our collaborators at DxO have put the One M8 through their usual round of mobile imaging tests. See how it scored Read full story → Enthusiast compact camera roundup (2014) Published on Monday, August 25, 2014 6:42:33 PM GMT Which capable compact, with plenty of control, should I buy? Read full story → Consumer SLR Camera Roundup (2014) Published on Monday, August 25, 2014 6:38:00 PM GMT To improve my general purpose and family photography, which camera should I choose? Read full story → What to buy and why: Camera roundups updated Published on Monday, August 25, 2014 5:16:31 PM GMT We've updated two of our 2013 camera roundups, bringing the enthusiast compact and consumer DSLR categories up to date with the latest models. These guides are designed to help give a comprehensive look at each camera class. We'll be addressing the remaining four roundups in the coming weeks. Read more Read full story → Fujifilm XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR samples gallery Published on Monday, August 25, 2014 10:00:00 AM GMT The Fujifilm XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 is a weather-resistant lens designed as a companion to the weather-resistant Fujifilm X-T1. Covering a 27-200mm equivalent range, it claims to offer the world's most advanced image stabilization system, using gyro sensors for a gain of up to five stops. Is it the ideal pair for the X-T1? We took it out for a spin. See gallery Read full story → Portfolio: Todd Bretl's captivating underwater photography Published on Sunday, August 24, 2014 10:00:00 AM GMT Todd Bretl says he asks himself 'Would I hang this on my wall?' when he's composing his photos of marine life. Challenging himself with this question has helped him produce some stunning works of art. Some of his images call to mind glass sculpture, while others capture the wildness that thrives below the water's surface. He answered our questions about his process and gear - take a look at some of his work and find out more about how it's created. See gallery Read full story → Portfolio: Martin Kimbell's 'Light Paintings' Published on Sunday, August 24, 2014 10:00:00 AM GMT UK-based photographer Martin Kimbell doesn't put his camera down when the sun goes in. His series of 'light paintings' add a surreal twist to long-exposure night pictures. In his images, tunnels, spirals and discs of light create sculptural forms in the landscape. We spoke to him about his work, and how he creates it. Click through to view his images and read our Q&A.  Read full story → Things they carried: Thom Atkinson's 'Soldiers' Inventories' Published on Saturday, August 23, 2014 10:00:00 AM GMT 'What's in your bag?' is a question we ask a lot of photographers, because, well, we're nosy that way. Asking the very same question, photographer Thom Atkinson posed it (figuratively) to centuries of British soldiers. He's assembled what would have been the belongings and clothing of a dozen combatants, ranging from medieval to modern-day soldiers. Take a look and learn how it all came together in our Q&A. See gallery Read full story → Readers' Showcase: Macro photography Published on Saturday, August 23, 2014 10:00:00 AM GMT While it’s easy to get swept up in the stream of announcements over the next few weeks, it’s also a good idea to remember why we buy that gear - to make great photos. What better way to do it than to showcase the excellent work of our own community? This week we asked users of our Macro and Still Life Photography forum to submit their favorite macro shots for inclusion in our Readers' Showcase. Unsurprisingly, we saw a lot of great work. See gallery Read full story → Hasselblad unveils pixel-shifting 200MP H5D-200c MS Published on Friday, August 22, 2014 3:55:00 PM GMT Hasselblad has taken another step towards the total switch to CMOS sensors with the introduction of new multi-shot versions of the company’s H5D 50c, including a model that outputs images of up to 200 million pixels. The H5D-50c MS and H5D-200c MS are 4-shot and 6-shot bodies that use pixel shifting to create higher resolution images than their 50-million-pixel sensors could in a single shot. Click through for more information. Read full story → Pics.io, a browser-based Raw editor built on Google Drive, goes live with public beta Published on Friday, August 22, 2014 3:45:47 PM GMT Ukrainian start-up Pics.io is hoping to change your photography post-processing workflow with its new browser-based Raw editing and organization service. Using WebGL technology to harness the power of your computer’s graphics card, Pics.io is able to offer Raw image editing and management for Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus Raw files right in your web browser. Read more Read full story → Quick Review: Zenfolio's Photographer Central Published on Friday, August 22, 2014 10:00:00 AM GMT Recently, Zenfolio announced its newest online venture, Photographer Central - an online directory of photographers. This website promises to bring customers in direct contact with local photographers while making the search free and easy to use. Does it live up to its claims? We took the service for a test spin. Read more Read full story → Monkey photo copyright in question as Wikipedia denies photographer's takedown request Published on Friday, August 22, 2014 12:21:00 AM GMT Update: A report issued by the US Copyright Office takes Wikimedia's side in a debate between a nature photographer and the organization. According to the report, the 'selfie' captured by a black crested macaque on David Slater's camera cannot by copyrighted since it was created by an animal. On a trip to Indonesia in 2011, Slater, a nature photographer was photographing the monkey when it grabbed his camera and proceeded to take hundreds of pictures of itself. Wikimedia defended a decision to keep the image in its database when Slater cried foul. Read more Read full story → Where's the red dot? Leica releases new M-P Digital rangefinder Published on Thursday, August 21, 2014 5:22:40 PM GMT Under the slogan 'Perfect understatement' Leica has quietly released a new M-series rangefinder, the M-P Digital (240). Featuring a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor and 2GB of built-in RAM, Leica claims that the new M-P digital is 'twice as fast' as the standard M (Typ 240). The original Leica MP (no hypen) announced in 2003, took the film M-series back to its 1950s roots by featuring unflashy ergonomics inspired by the M3. The new model updates the same approach, omitting the iconic Leica red dot. Click through for more details. Read full story → Sony a7S used to shoot Chevrolet commercial Published on Thursday, August 21, 2014 7:01:00 AM GMT Film industry accessory manufacturer Cinoflex was recently tasked with rigging up a new Sony a7S mirrorless camera for use on a Chevrolet commercial. After some testing, the Cinoflex Type SA7S Camera System was created to allow the filmmakers to attach the necessary range of auxiliary equipment needed on a high budget commercial shoot. Read more Read full story → 'Cities at Night' project puts citizens to work identifying images of Earth Published on Thursday, August 21, 2014 4:00:00 AM GMT Got a few minutes to spare? You've got enough time on your hands to help a group of researchers tackle a massive problem. Cities at Night is a project aiming to recruit help from ordinary citizens in classifying images of Earth at night taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. An effort of Universidad Complutense de Madrid staff and students, their main goal is to better understand and reduce light pollution. See how you can help Read full story → Lensbaby announces availability of LM-10 Sweet Spot lens for mobile and Sweet 50 optic Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 7:45:00 PM GMT Lensbaby has announced that its LM-10 Sweet Spot lens for mobile devices is available immediately through its online store and retailers worldwide. The LM-10 concept was unveiled back in April with a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than twice the amount needed to see the lens go into production. Alongside the LM-10, Lensbaby has also announced the Sweet 50 optic. The Sweet 50, a selective-focus 50mm lens, works with Lensbaby's Optic Swap System and is also available now. Read more Read full story → Google Photo Sphere now available for iOS Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 6:40:06 PM GMT Google's Photo Sphere feature for capturing 360° spheric panoramas was launched in 2012 with the camera app in Android 4.2. Since then it has only been available for devices running Google's mobile OS - until now. The Photo Sphere team at Google has just launched a version for Apple's iOS devices, dramatically increasing the potential user base of its app. Read more Read full story → Samsung NX3000 real-world samples Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 7:01:00 AM GMT The Samsung NX3000 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that sports a 20.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor, a 3" flip-up LCD, 5 fps continuous shooting, and Wi-Fi with NFC. We took delivery of an NX3000 recently and we've been out shooting with it and the 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 power zoom lens to see how it performs in the real world. Click through for a link to our gallery.  Read full story → Metz Mecablitz 64 AF-1 flagship flash unit gets US announcement and pricing Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 5:00:00 AM GMT Previously introduced on its European website, Metz has announced its new flagship model the Mecablitz 64 AF-1 in the US market. It's the most powerful flash in that manufacturer's lineup with a guide number of 64 at ISO 100 and a zoom range covering 24-200mm focal lengths, and will be available for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax cameras. Read more Read full story → HTC introduces One M8 for Windows Phone Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 12:01:00 AM GMT Two years after HTC launched its Windows Phone flagship model 8X, the Taiwanese manufacturer now offers another high-end model with the Microsoft OS. Today HTC has revealed a Windows Phone version of the HTC One M8, originally launched with Google's Android OS in March this year. This means the One M8's unique Duo Cam features are now available in a Windows phone environment. Read more Read full story →
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