Even the product name tells you there's trouble here. Take a shot and get killed.

OK, so sometimes there are bad ideas or concepts that are not well thought out. Then there are ideas which are so stupid, they defy all logic. Now this isn’t a new idea, it’s been tried by at least 3 or 4 manufacturers several decades ago, but they didn’t look completely like a real rifle. Plus they never gained wide acceptance. So why try this again? See more images of the ‘Killshot” camera here. By the way, the camera is in the scope and the memory card is inserted where the clip would go on a real gun. So you’re on the street (of course near a large bank), you insert the memory card in the clip, raise the camera to your head and the next thing you know, you’re in custody or in an ER handcuffed to the bed…..

Rare 1936 Leica camera on rifle stock.

I can see the headlines now. “Photographer shot by police while innocently taking street photos”. Even in the woods, I can see this being an issue. Like taking it in an area where guns are not allowed. Transporting it in the back seat and so on.

But if you still think it’s a good idea, you can help in its development and snag one for yourself through the Killshot Kickstarter page.

Cheers and good shooting
-Peter Zack

No related posts.

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No, not us, nobody’s gonna lend us a Leica S2; we had to cry and beg just to get a JPEG of it to show for this article! No, what happened is that Leica wanted to showcase their medium format digital camera and hired Jarmo Pohjaniemi to shoot something that would show off the camera’s awesomeness. The choice was obvious: A naked girl and some huge soap bubbles:

I’d like to see the amazing photographs taken at this shoot, so amazing that they couldn’t have been taken with any other camera but the Leica S2.

Good light and good luck,

    —Miserere

Related posts:

1. More Small Cameras: Leica X1 Field Report at Luminous Landscape
2. Leica to Branch Out into New Digital Venture
3. Leica to Release an Affordable Camera?

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Nikon D800 from Nikon USA site

If you want to get a copy of the just-released technical manual, It’s available for download here. It reads more like a ‘quick start guide’ than a true technical manual. It’s a teaser to get you a bit more interested in the new body.

If you are interested in the new camera and are considering a pre-order. We’d appreciate the support of our site if you use the following links. Amazon.com and B&H.

There are some interesting notes in there. Things such as stopping a lens down too far will cause diffraction. We have indeed reached the point where the sensor can out resolve the lens.

Amateur Photographer has an interview with Nikon’s general manager for marketing, Nobuaki Sasagaki, where he is quoted as saying:

the Nikon D700 will not be discontinued as long as there is demand for the product.

Officially, the D800 has not replaced the D700 in Nikon’s range of DSLRs, and Sasagaki said that, so long as there is demand for the D700, Nikon will continue to produce the bodies.

Cheers and good shooting
-Peter Zack

Related posts:

1. CliQ 2011, Sept 6th: Nikon D800 Release? Here’s My Wishlist
2. Nikon D800, not the Camera We Wanted.
3. Nikon D800 Is Officially Launched. First Review Comments. Feb 7th, 2012

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Update Feb 18/12: Tech Manual available for download, see the following post.

Nikon D800 from Nikon USA site

Note: as we find more information and links, we’ll add them to the bottom of this article. There have been some added since this was first posted. Check out the full sized sample on the Russian web site (link below) where you can download 112 MB of sample shots.

No not me!!! Nikon’s not ringing the phone off the hook to offer me an NDA. I wish!
World renowned wedding photographer, Cliff Mautner (also of Kelby Training fame) did get an NDA and has a prototype D800 for testing, He’s posted his first thoughts on his blog. The site has crashed several times since the launch this morning, so you might have to be patient. But suffice to say, he likes the camera a lot. If you can’t get on the site, here’s a few sentences to whet your appetite.

“In years past, wedding photography was traditionally captured with medium format equipment for maximum image quality. When the 35mm format was adopted within the genre, it was widely accepted that image quality was compromised in lieu of speed and convenience. Now, my wedding portraiture will have a depth it’s never had before, and my style of shooting won’t ever be compromised-only enhanced- with the D800.”

Coming in at $2999.00 I think this camera is going to dominate the higher end of the market (and probably be in short supply).

So good luck and I hope you can get on to take a look at his comments and sample photos. Cliff Mautner’s blog.

Update: Here’s another site that the reviewer had an early sample and he discusses the features as well as showing test images. Some of the photos here are also used on the official site. Visit Rob van Petten’s blog.

Russian site with full size images at low ISO and 25,600 avalable for download. Site, Download link and Google translate version.

If other similar early tests become available, we will try to post them here.

You can preorder it at Amazon.com and B&H.

From the Nikon USA web site

Main specs:

Lens Mount: Nikon F bayonet mount
Effective Pixels: 36.3 MP
Sensor Size: 35.9mm x 24mm
Image Sensor Type: CMOS
Dust-reduction system: Image sensor cleaning
Image Area (pixels)
  FX-format
     (L) 7,360 x 4,912
     (M) 5,520 x 3,680
     (S) 3,680 x 2,456
     1:2 format (30 x 20)
     (L) 6,144 x 4,080
     (M) 4,608 x 3,056
     (S) 3,072 x 2,040
     5:4 format (30 x 24)
     (L) 6,144 x 4,912
     (M) 4,608 x 3,680
     (S) 3,072 x 2,456
   DX-format
     (L) 4,800 x 3,200
     (M) 3,600 x 2,400
     (S) 2,400 x 1,600
File Format Still Images
   JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant with fine (approx 1:4), Normal (approx 1:8) or Basic (approx 1:16) Compression
   NEF (RAW): lossless compressed 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed or uncompressed
   TIFF (RGB)
   JPEG: JPEG-Baseline-Compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality
Storage Media:
   CompactFlash© (CF) (Type I, compliant with UDMA)
   SD
   SDHC
   SDXC
Card Slot: 1 CompactFlash© (CF) card and 1 Secure Digital (SD) card
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
   FX (36×24): 100% Horizontal and 100% Vertical Approx.
     1.2x (30×20): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx.
   DX (24×16): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx.
     5:4 (30×24): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx.
Viewfinder Magnification: 0.70x Approx.
Viewfinder Eyepoint: 19.5 (-1.0¯¹)
Shutter type: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
Shutter Speed: 1/8000 to 30 sec., Bulb
Flash Sync Speed: Up to 1/250 sec.
Synchronizes with shutter at 1/320s or slower (flash range drops at speeds between 1/250 and 1/320s)
Shutter Release Modes
   Continuous low-speed [CL] mode; 1-4 frames per second
   Continuous high-speed [CH] mode; 4 frames per second
   Mirror-up [Mup] mode
   Quiet Shutter Release
   Self-timer mode
   Single-frame [S] mode
Continuous Shooting Options
   FX-format
     CH: Up to 4 frames per second
     CL: Up to 4 frames per second
     5:4 format
     CH: Up to 4 frames per second
     CL: Up to 4 frames per second
   DX-format
     CH: Up to 5 frames per second
     CL: Up to 5 frames per second
     1:2 format
     CH: Up to 5 frames per second
     CL: Up to 5 frames per second
Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Exposure Bracketing: 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
ISO Sensitivity
   ISO 100 – 6400
   Lo-1 (ISO 50)
   Hi-1 (ISO 12,800)
   Hi-2 (ISO 25,600)
Long Exposure Noise Reduction: Yes
High ISO Noise Reduction
   Low
   Normal
   High
   Off
Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking)
AF-area mode
   9, 21 or 51 point Dynamic-area AF
   Auto-area AF
   Single-point AF
   3D-tracking (51 points)
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points: 51
Built-in Flash: Yes
Live View Autofocus: Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera selects focus point automatically when face-priority AF or subject-tracking AF is selected)
Movie Frame size (pixels) and frame rate
   1280 x 720 (30p): 30 fps (29.97 fps)
   1280 x 720 (60p): 60 fps (59.94 fps)
   1920 x 1080 (24p): 24 fps (23.976 fps)
   1920 x 1080 (30p): 30 fps (29.97 fps)
Movie Maximum recording time
   20 minutes at highest quality
   29 minutes 59 seconds at normal quality
Movie File Format: MOV
Movie Video Compression: H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
Movie Audio recording format: Linear PCM
Movie Audio recording device
   Built-in monaural microphone
   External stereo microphone (optional)
Movie
   HD 1,920×1,080 / 30 fps
   HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps
   HD 1,280×720 / 30 fps
   HD 1,280×720 / 24 fps
   HD 1,280×720 / 60 fps
Monitor Size: 3.2 in. diagonal
Monitor Resolution: 921,000 Dots
Monitor Type: Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD
Wi-Fi Functionality
   Eye-Fi Compatible
   WT-4A
GPS: GP-1 GPS unit
Approx. Dimensions
   Width 5.7 in. (144.78mm)
   Height 4.8 in. (121.92mm)
   Depth 3.2 in. (81.28mm)
Approx. Weight
   31.7 oz. (900g)
Supplied Accessories
   AN-DC6 Strap
   EN-EL15 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
   MH-25 Battery Charger
   UC-E14 USB Cable
   BM-12 LCD Monitor Cover
   BF-1B Body Cap
   BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap
   DK-17 Viewfinder Eyepiece
   NikonView NX2 CD ROM

Cheers and good shooting
-Peter Zack

Related posts:

1. CliQ 2011, Sept 6th: Nikon D800 Release? Here’s My Wishlist
2. Nikon D800/D800E Tech Manual Download and D700 News
3. Nikon D800, not the Camera We Wanted.

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Please consider purchasing through our affiliate stores. If you visit one of the stores through the links below and place an order, EtL will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We hope you don't mind these ads; revenue from commissions is how we keep EtL running. Thanks!

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© Peter Zack for Enticing the Light, 2012. All rights reserved, do not reproduce without permission. | Read article with proper formatting.

The 3 new Lytro Cameras.

Some time ago, I posted about this new technology. The Lytro Camera. It certainly seemed very interesting and I posted some conjecture that it was a trick of software. Well now we can see for ourselves. It’s now available to buy and shipping in January 2012. See company web site below.

First impression is, wow this thing is small. How they pack this interesting evolution in cameras in such a small unit is impressive. Second thought was, I do hope this is available in some sort of SLR. They are clearly directing this toward the P&S shooter at this time. They comment a few times, about “Shutter Lag” claiming that it’s an issue of auto focus lag, which of course it isn’t. Focus lag (or focus time) certainly can slow your ability to get the shot you want but shutter lag is a P&S issue with the sensor turning on and off to capture the photo. Shutter lag isn’t an issue with a DSLR. Focus speed can be at times of course and add to the time it takes to capture the image.

On thing I very curious about is how do I create a shot that has a large DOF (depth of field)? It’s great that the user can choose what’s in focus but all the samples demonstrate this limited focus feature. Narrow DOF shoots are great but if I want to print the family shot taken at the annual summer gathering and I can only focus on one person, then the shot is pretty much useless for prints. We can only assume that multiple focus points can be combined in the software to create the large DOF shot where everything (near and far) is in focus.

If this is available as a “DSLR styled” camera, with interchangeable lenses and the ability to add a flash, remote wireless triggers and other add-on accessories at some point, this will be the end on DSLR’s as we know them. A big consideration for putting this camera engine in a DSLR would be the ability to use removable storage media. I feel a big limit with this camera is it only has internal storage and you have to download the photos off the camera once it’s full via USB to your computer. So are you going to carry a netbook or other computer with you on vacation to keep the memory available for more photos? Most won’t like this limitation.

As it stands now, the camera has very few controls, a slider zoom on the top, a shutter button, USB connection port and a power switch. The rear LCD is a touch screen that allows some viewing of images but due to the small size, won’t be something you would want to use to really see your shots. One missing feature for many P&S shooters is they do not mention video. Can this thing shoot video clips? Seems no at this point.

There’s a lot we don’t know. Can we stop the lens down somehow? What about close up (macro) shooting? How is this in low light is a big one. There are no specifications for ISO on their page. In fact if low light capture is processed in some new way or measured differently, they don’t mention a way to compare against today’s camera units. If you are taking pictures of the kids on Christmas morning with only the tree lights, will extra light be needed or a flash? It’s notable that no flash is built in. The web site is very sparse in details and that still makes me suspicious how good this camera is.

Another consideration is how these photos can be processed. Can Photoshop, Elements, Lightroom or the large number of Freeware programs edit these photos? They have a “3D” nature to them and I don’t know if it would be possible to edit them in conventional software. If all you can do is edit in their own software, then this camera will be fairly limited to the higher end user. The video above doesn’t tell us much about what the software does. It only mentions that you can choose the subject that will be in focus. Maybe you do that, then save the shot to be edited in other types of software. Also note that the images are square unlike the conventional 2:3 ratio of today’s cameras.

Will this replace today’s DSLR’s? No not yet by a long shot (pardon the pun). Will it draw in the P&S shooter, most certainly for some. If this gets broad acceptance and they develop or partner (I hope) with a DSLR/MILC maker who already has the accessories and lenses, then this could turn the camera market completely on it’s head. Imagine this in Fuji’s new X10? Now that would be a cool camera.

Oh and a note to the DSLR makers, if you are thinking of getting in a partnership with these guys, the one that does (all this assumes that this camera engine is everything they claim), will own the DSLR/MILC market. Until we understand the software and the other issues, much of where this will go is still speculation.

Visit the Lytro camera web site here
Cheers and good shooting
-Peter Zack

Related posts:

1. Lytro Cameras. A New Evolution in Technology?
2. Nikon D800, not the Camera We Wanted.
3. Fire Your Camera from Your iPhone

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Subtitle: Lesson learned, check the tide and stay close to your gear.

Not much I need to say as the video says it all, although you might suspect what’s about to happen. The photographer, Kurtis Hough was filming at Cannon Beach, Oregon, Pacific Coast, USA (how ironic is that!) with his Canon 5D MkII. We’ll let the video tell the rest of the story…

Cheers and good shooting (safely!!)
-Peter Zack

Ed. Note: Nikon wanted a piece of the action too; check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUdB8kIzuEI

Related posts:

1. Fujifilm Introduces FinePix X100 Official Specs
2. Sony A33 and A55: Old Technology Put to New Use
3. Pentax Finally Announce New Equipment

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UPDATE: See some user comments of the D800 in action. Impressive image quality!

Alleged Nikon D800 (Image from PhotoRumors.com).

Nikon Rumors has released what they say is a photo of the real Nikon D800 (I’m doubtful the photos are real for a number of reasons – look at the red rubber on the grip for instance) and with the photo, they claim to have the actual specs. These specs have been rumoured on the internet for several months now. Since NR is claiming that these are the specs we’ll see in the new camera when it’s released (TBA), I figured it was time to now comment on how I see this new body. Plus it’s interesting to see what the forums have been saying as well.

It’s not a D700 replacement in any fashion, nor is it an upgrade. The D700 first was targeted at the advanced shooter who took photos of almost any subject from sports to landscapes and everything in between. Second it was an excellent wedding and portrait shooters camera. Great ISO at 3200, good ISO at 6400. Excellent AF, and the list goes on. Certainly when the camera was released in 2008, it was considered by many to be a landmark camera; partly because for the price, it offered so much to so many. In fact today, current owners and new owners still have very few complaints. If they wanted anything, it’s the never ending high ISO improvements we always want in every new camera. The other thing might have been a slightly higher resolution in case you wanted to make larger prints or crop a bit more. Other than that, it was a few tweaks here and there that most shooters wanted. To see my wish list, have a look at this article posted several months ago. From the comments we got then, it would seem that most prospective buyers wanted similar things in the new D800. Well, they didn’t get it.

So why do I think this is not a D700 replacement and the wrong camera? First I’m coming at this from a wedding shooter’s point of view and that’s what I do for a living. Second, I’m assuming that the NR specs are accurate. So based on that assumption, lets dive in.

1) Resolution is far too high. This will require a full computer upgrade, and honestly, can Lightroom handle files this big in an efficient manner? There are people all over the internet complaining that LR3 will freeze up and really slow down when asked to do certain tasks. For example, try cloning anything now. With a D700 file, if you clone more than 3-4 spots in one image, prepare to see the computer slow to a crawl. That’s on a 12MP file. What’s going to happen with a 36MP file?

2) File sizes are going to be an issue for anyone who shoots significant volumes. For myself, I fill a 1TB drive each wedding season. Plus I back that drive up just in case. So now instead of a 1TB drive and a 1 TB backup, I’ll need at least 3 + 3? Insane. Also, I now carry 48GB (in 8GB cards) worth of CF cards, Will I need 144GB? Or actually since the new camera is dual slot, 288GB? Even seeing a number like 144GB worth of memory cards on the screen has me shaking my head. (I’d never, ever put an entire wedding on one large card just in case).

3) Slower frame rates. With file sizes this big the camera is going to be much slower and the frame rate is reported to be at 4FPS. If that’s true, it’s a big drop from the D700. Also, if the frame rate is dropping that much, what will happen to the camera’s overall speed? Will the image render on the LCD take twice as long? Will the buffer take twice as much time to write to the card? In fact if the buffer is one millisecond slower than the current D700, then this camera is an out and out failure for the event shooter.

4) No improvement in high ISO. The camera’s range is 100-6400 which expands to 50-25,600. In fact I will bet that with this type of pixel density, the D700 will be better at 6400 than the new camera will. This is a huge disappointment. I, and I think most shooters, would have wanted a 2 stop improvement over the 4 year old camera that it’s supposed to be replacing.

5) Nikon dropped the ball on the new grip. I’ve long felt that the grip needed an AE-L button or better yet, a button that could be customized any way you wanted to. The grip isn’t much more than a battery holder with a shutter button. Also the ISO adjustment button is still in the worst possible spot and I can’t understand why Nikon doesn’t realize this button needs to be as easily accessible as the front and rear dials. In a camera that has good ISO6400, you need to be able to change ISO’s quickly without fumbling for the control button.

6) The rumoured price is 300,000 yen or around $3,899 USD. Really? Are you driving people to other brands on purpose? The D700 was and still is about $2500.00. The Canon 5DMkII is around $2300.00. If the D700 is gone and there’s no full-frame camera in the sub $3000.00 price range, then this is an epic failure.

I was thinking about these specs and wondering if I was alone in these opinions. If you look at the forums and use these as some gauge of potential buyers’ feelings, then this isn’t the camera they want either. Certainly almost everyone wanted more MP’s but around 18MP or at the very most 24MP, but no more than that. They wanted better high ISO, faster frame rates and most of the items on my earlier wish list. I was actually surprised how many expressed an opinion that they will keep their D700′s or even go out and buy one now to hang on to. In fact the only segment of shooters that seem to like this camera in any way are landscape shooters. That does make sense for them but not for many others.

The other thing I found interesting was the comments attached to the rumour article on the NR site. In very short order, it became a virtual fist fight over megapixels and sensor sizes, Nikon vs Canon and so on. There was no sense of joy that this could be the next Nikon product to walk on water. In fact, if the sentiment I got from most comments is right, then this camera needs a lifejacket. I won’t copy it here but my favourite post was from a guy named “Bill” who posted a short sentence on November 20, 2011 at 2:48 pm. It sums up my thoughts perfectly on why the D700 is still the camera to own. (If you don’t feel like hunting for the comment, it’s something to do with idiots wanting more megapixels while the rest shoot happily with what they now own.)

In fact I see this new camera as moving from the D3, D3s, D700 series of bodies to the D3x series. Maybe Nikon has something planned to actually upgrade the D700. I hope so but certainly not counting on it in the near future.

So I’ll keep enjoying my D700, maybe buy another sometime soon if the prices on D700′s don’t shoot through the roof. Sorry Nikon, this D800 is a complete failure to me if Nikon Rumors is right.

Cheers and good shooting
-Peter Zack

Ed. Note: SonyAlpha Rumors asked the question of whether 36MP were too many…and a similar war broke out.

Related posts:

1. Nikon D800/D800E Tech Manual Download and D700 News
2. CliQ 2011, Sept 6th: Nikon D800 Release? Here’s My Wishlist
3. Nikon D800 Is Officially Launched. First Review Comments. Feb 7th, 2012

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© Peter Zack for Enticing the Light, 2011. All rights reserved, do not reproduce without permission. | Read article with proper formatting.

by Peter Zack

The new Fuji X10 is the next in Fuji’s line of retro styled rangefinder cameras, following the very popular and successful X100 that turned heads everywhere in the photography world. From everything I’ve read, including comments on our site, the one thing people wanted was either interchangeable lenses or some type of zoom. Well Fuji addressed this (sort of) in the new X10. It looks like a great camera in almost every respect, the one factor that might disappoint many shooters waiting for an upgrade to a more flexible lens platform is the sensor. It’s more in line with a compact than a more ‘serious’ DSLR style sensor.

The new camera is due to hit the shelves in November this year and so far I haven’t seen the street price as of this writing. The X10 has a new pop up flash that has an approximate range of 23 feet. It offers 7 FPS at full resolution or 10 FPS using the medium or lower resolution settings. The focus system is 49-point matrix contrast AF supports RAW capture. The rear screen is a 2.8-inch 460K dot LCD screen and the camera has a 1080p movie mode.

It sports a 12 MP 2/3-inch EXR CMOS sensor which equates to approx 1/4 the size of a full frame 35mm sensor. This is a bit of a downgrade from the APS-c sensor found in the X100. The big upgrade is the ED, 4 x optical zoom lens that is 7.1 – 28.4 mm which is the approximate equivalent to 28 – 112 mm on a 35 mm camera and is both auto and manual focus. This lens features optical lens stabilization and is quite fast for a zoom at F2.0 (@ 7.1mm) – F2.8 (@28.4mm) and as you can see from the photos, it’s very compact. The zoom lens also supports a 2x digital converter. The lens extends to approximately double the length when zoomed out from from the size you see in the photo below.
ISO range of 100 to 12,800 and shutter speed range of 30 seconds to 1/4000th and many other features listed below from the Fuji website.

From the Fuji web site:

Specifications:
Model Name X10
Number of effective pixels*1 12.0 million pixels
Image sensor 2/3-inch EXR CMOS with primary color filter
Storage media

SD / SDHC / SDXC(UHS-I) memory card*2

File format

still image
JPEG (Exif Ver 2.3)*3, RAW (RAF format), RAW + JPEG
(Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)
movie
H.264 (MOV) with Stereo sound

Number of recorded pixels L : (4:3) 4000 x 3000 / (3:2) 4000 x 2664 / (16:9) 4000 x 2248 / (1:1) 2992 x 2992
M : (4:3) 2816 x 2112 / (3:2) 2816 x 1864 / (16:9) 2816 x 1584 / (1:1) 2112 x 2112
S : (4:3) 2048 x 1536 / (3:2) 2048 x 1360 / (16:9) 1920 x 1080 / (1:1) 1536 x 1536

360° Vertical 11520 x 1624 Horizontal 11520 x 1080
300° Vertical 9600 x 1624 Horizontal 9600 x 1080
240° Vertical 7680 x 1624 Horizontal 7680 x 1080
180° Vertical 5760 x 1624 Horizontal 5760 x 1080
120° Vertical 3840 x 1624 Horizontal 3840 x 1080

Lens

name
Fujinon 4 x optical zoom lens
focal length
f=7.1 – 28.4 mm, equivalent to 28 – 112 mm on a 35 mm camera
full-aperture
F2.0 (Wide) – F2.8 (Telephoto)
constitution
9 groups 11 lenses (3 aspherical glass molded lenses included)

Digital zoom Intelligent digital zoom (approx. 2X)
Aperture F2.0-F11(Wide)
F2.8-F11(Telephoto) 1/3EV step (controlled 7-blade aperture diaphragm)
Focus distance
(from lens surface)

Normal
Wide : Approx. 50 cm / 1.6 ft. to infinity
Telephoto : Approx. 80 cm / 2.6 ft. to infinity
Macro
Wide : Approx. 10 cm – 3.0 m / 0.3 ft. – 9.8 ft.
Telephoto : Approx. 50 cm – 3.0 m / 1.6 ft. – 9.8 ft.
Super Macro
Approx. 1.0 cm – 1.0 m / 0.4 in. – 3.3 ft

Sensitivity Auto / Equivalent to ISO 100 / 200 / 250 / 320 / 400 / 500 / 640 / 800 / 1000 / 1250 / 1600 / 2000 / 2500 / 3200 / 4000* / 5000* / 6400* / 12800* (Standard Output Sensitivity)

* ISO4000 / 5000 / 6400 : M mode or lower, ISO12800 : S mode

Exposure control TTL 256-zones metering, Multi / Spot / Average
Exposure mode Programmed AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Shooting modes

SP
Natural Light, Natural Light & Flash, Portrait, Portrait Enhancer, Landscape, Sport, Night, Night (Tripod), Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Party, Flower, Text, Underwater
MODE DIAL
EXR, AUTO, P, S, A, M, C1, C2, Movie, SP, Adv.

Image stabilizer Lens shift type
Face detection Yes
Exporsure compensation -2.0EV – +2.0EV 1/3EV step
Shutter speed (Auto mode) 1/4 sec. to 1/4000* sec., (All other modes) 30 sec. to 1/4000* sec.
* 1/4000 sec. at small aperture, 1/1000 sec. at full aperture
Continuous shooting

TOP
Super High : approx. 10 fps (Size M, S)
High : approx. 7 fps (Size L, M, S)
Middle : approx. 5 fps (Size L, M, S)
Low : approx. 3 fps (Size L, M, S)
*SD memory card with a class 4 write speed (4 MB/sec.) or better is recommended.
*Maximum frame number for each continuous shooting mode is limited.
others
Best Frame capture :
Super High : approx. 10 fps 8 / 16 frames (Size M, S)
High : approx. 7 fps 8 frames (Size L, M, S) / 16 frames (Size M, S)
Middle : approx. 5 fps 8 frames (Size L, M, S) / 16 frames (Size M, S)
Low : approx. 3 fps 8 frames (Size L, M, S) / 16 frames (Size M, S)

Auto bracketing AE Bracketing : ±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV
Film Simulation Bracketing : PROVIA / STANDARD, Velvia / VIVID, ASTIA / SOFT
Dynamic Range Bracketing : 100%, 200%, 400%
ISO Sensitivity Bracketing : ±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV

Focus
mode
Single AF / Continuous AF (EXR AUTO, Movie),
Manual AF (One-push AF mode included)
type
TTL contrast AF, AF assist illuminator available
AF frame selection
Multi, Area, Tracking

White balance Automatic scene recognition
Preset : Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Underwater, Custom, Color temperature selection

Self-timer 10 sec. / 2 sec. delay

Flash Auto flash (super intelligent flash)
Effective range : (ISO AUTO (800))
Wide : Approx. 50 cm – 7.0 m / 1.6 ft. – 22.9 ft.
Telephoto : Approx. 80 cm – 5.0 m / 2.6 ft. – 16.4 ft.
Flash modes Red-eye removal OFF : Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro.
Red-eye removal ON : Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro.
Hot shoe Yes

Viewfinder Optical zoom viewfinder
Approx. 85% coverage
Diopter adjustment : -3.5 – +1.5 m-1(dpt)

LCD monitor 2.8-inch, approx. 460,000 dots, TFT color LCD monitor, approx. 100% coverage

Movie recording 1920 x 1080 pixels / 1280 x 720 pixels / 640 x 480 pixels (30 frames / sec.) with stereo sound
Optical zoom (manual) can be used.

Photography functions EXR mode (EXR Auto / Resolution priority / High ISO & Low noise priority / Dynamic range priority), Face recognition, Face Detection, Auto red-eye removal, Film simulation, Framing guideline, Frame No. memory, Histogram display, Best frame capture, Advanced mode (Motion panorama360, Pro focus, Pro low light), High Speed Movie (70 / 120 / 200 frames/sec.), Electronic level, One-touch RAW, Advanced Anti Blur

Playback functions Face Detection, Auto red-eye removal, Multi-frame playback (with micro thumbnail), Protect, Crop, Resize, Slide show, Image rotate, Voice memo, Histogram display, Exposure warning, Photobook assist, Image search, Favorites, Mark for upload, Panorama, Erase selected frames, RAW conversing

Other functions PictBridge, Exif Print, 35 Languages, Time difference, Silent mode

Terminal
Video output
NTSC / PAL selectable with Monaural sound
Digital interface
USB 2.0 High-Speed
HDMI output
HDMI Mini connector

Other specifications:
NP-50 Li-ion battery (included)
CP-50 with AC power adapter AC-5VX (sold separately)
Dimensions 117.0(W) x 69.6(H) x 56.8(D) mm / 4.6(W) x 2.7(H) x 2.2(D) in.
Weight Approx. 350 g / 12.3 oz. (including battery and memory card)
Approx. 330 g / 11.6 oz. (excluding battery and memory card)
Operating Temperature 0°C – 40°C
Operating Humidity 10% – 80% (no condensation)
Accessories included Li-ion battery NP-50
Battery charger BC-45W
Shoulder strap
Lens cap
USB cable
CD-ROM
Owner’s manual
Optional accessories Li-ion battery NP-50
Battery charger BC-45W
A / V cable AV-C1
Lens hood LH-X10
Leather case LC-X10
Shoe Mount Flash EF-42 / EF-20
AC power adapter AC-5VX
DC coupler CP-50

*1 Number of effective pixels: The number of pixels on the image sensor which receive input light through the optical lens, and which are effectively reflected in the final output data of the still image.
*2 Please see the Fujifilm website to check memory card compatibility.
*3 Exif 2.3 is a digital camera file format that contains a variety of shooting information for optimal printing.

Cheers and good shooting
-Peter Zack

Related posts:

1. DPR Previews the Fuji X100
2. Is the Fuji X100 Really that Expensive?
3. Don’t Miss Zack Arias’s FREE Online Workshop Tomorrow

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© Peter Zack for Enticing the Light, 2011. All rights reserved, do not reproduce without permission. | Read article with proper formatting.

 

The other title I had in mind was A New 570MP Camera…We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Computer, because the first thing I think about when some idiot misguided camera company releases a higher megapixel camera is how I’d have to buy a new computer and more disk space, making said camera even more expensive.

Luckily, it’s US taxpayers paying for this little baby and its associated hardware, so I have almost 300 million other people to share the cost between. Which is good, because you also need a new tripod for this camera because it weighs a tonne…literally!

What I’m talking about is the DECam, short for Dark Energy Camera, which will be mounted on a telescope in Cerro Tololo, Chile, and stare out at a bunch of some 300 million galaxies over 5 years in search of the signatures of Dark Energy. Its 570 megapixels are spread out over 74 individual CCDs tweaked to be sensitive to the dim light from galaxies that are so far away they appear redder than they would if they were up close and personal. And by “far away” I mean 7 billion light-years!

Find out a lot more at the Dark Energy Survey page.

Good light and good luck,

    —Miserere

Related posts:

1. The New Sony A77 and A65 Heat up the Camera Market and Megapixel Race
2. My New Street Camera: The Yashica EZ F521
3. Lytro Camera Is Now Here and Not What I Expected.

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Today Sony announced 2 new Alpha series DSLR’s in the A77 and A65 models that will be due for shipping in October. These cameras feature the Sony Translucent Mirror Technology with APS-C sized sensors. Both have increased high ISO capabilities such as the A77 at: ISO 100 – 1600, ISO 100-12800 selectable with upper or lower limit and the A65 even goes to ISO 16,000. Both have full movie capabilities and flip style LCD’s as well.

One feature I fine very interesting is the veiwfinder and the ability to customize it’s display. From the Sony web site:
“Both cameras showcase a remarkably crisp OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder, the world’s first of its kind. With a 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, highly detailed, high contrast image with 100 percent frame coverage and a wide field of view comparable to the most advanced class optical viewfinders.

However, unlike optical viewfinders, users have expansive customization capabilities through the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder and can preview the effects of adjusting exposure, white balance and other settings in real-time. Photographers can also make fine focus adjustments via a zoomed-in portion of the image.”

The A77 and A65 offer a 24.3 MP APSc sensor and a very fast continuous shooting rate of 12 frames per second (the A65 is 10/fps) when in Continuous Advance Priority AE.

Prices on the A77 are reported as: $1399 and $899 for the A65 (subject to change)

I guess the megapixel race continues…..

A few other key features of the A77:
24.3 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor and enhanced BIONZ processor
Magnesium alloy and plastic exterior (A77) and Plastic A65
12 frames/second at full resolution with full-time phase-detection autofocus (A65 10fps shooting speed)
19 point autofocus with 11 cross sensors
Full 1080p video
3-inch tilt/swivel LCD, 921,000 dots
Built in GPS
TTL 19-point phase detection AF system with 11 cross sensors (A65 15-point with 3 cross sensors)
Top status LCD on A77, none on A65
Maximum shutter speed A77 1/8000th and A65 1/4000th

You can read and see more about these cameras here: Sony press release

Cheers and good shooting
-Peter Zack

Related posts:

1. The Megapixel Race Isn’t Over: Meet the 570MP Camera!
2. Sony A33 and A55: Old Technology Put to New Use
3. Sony to Go 100% Translucent, so Allow Me to Be Transparent

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© Peter Zack for Enticing the Light, 2011. All rights reserved, do not reproduce without permission. | Read article with proper formatting.