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Leica's S3 is a slick, 64-megapixel medium format DSLR
Leica's biggest news of Photokina was the launch of the L-Mount alliance with Panasonic and Sigma, but it also unveiled a camera. The Leica S3 is a rakish DSLR with a massive 64-megapixel medium-format sensor and 4K video capability that's set to arrive in spring of 2019. I got a chance to handle it at Photokina 2018 and take a few shots (but not keep them), and I can tell you that this is one beautiful-feeling camera. Given the likely price, however, I'm quite sure I'll never own one.
Canon EOS 7D v2 firmware tested: increases burst capacity, gives manual audio control
You don't get to unbox anything or have that new-camera smell, so how much does the Canon 7D v2 firmware really transform the now three year-old model? The answer depends a bit on what you do with it, but for most users the Japanese maker deserves kudos from bringing new functionality to the model. Two changes stand out in particular, the first being a bump in the number of burst RAW images from 15 to 25, a boon for action shooters. The other biggie is manual audio level adjustment, saving videographers from the whims of automatic audio levels. Other tweaks include in-camera rating, resizing and editing of images; a max auto ISO setting; GPS compatibility; file name customization; time zone settings; and faster magnification scrolling and control screen adjustment during playback. To test the burst and audio functions, we got our own mitts on the firmware. Prior to updating, we put the rapid-fire 8 fps camera it through the wringer and grabbed about 16-18 RAW frames in a burst. With the v2 firmware we caught exactly 25 frames before it halted, and did it again numerous times with only an occasional stutter. As for audio, the new manual setting is still a far cry from dedicated sound level dials -- on the 7D you'll need to preset the audio before filming, and are stuck with that level until you hit 'stop' again. Still, it beats the previous automatic way, which was so unusable that it forced many pros into buying external audio recorders to get anything decent. A quick test confirmed the new adjustment worked well, giving usable audio in most conditions with both internal and external mics while requiring just a little fiddling beforehand to set levels. While hardly turning your 2009-era beast into an all-new DSLR, the new functionality brings the software in line with newer models, and still keeps the 7D near the top of the APS-C heap in many categories. Swapping out the sensor would be the only way to bump the one area where it now lags, low-light performance -- but you can't expect everything from a $1,500 shooter.
Cinema rig takes the heat out of your NEX-5N, lets you slide in the accessories
The Sony NEX-5N, with it's goodly APS-C sized sensor and decent video quality, still has a couple of knocks against it as a video cam: its bitty size makes it hard to rig up and it doesn't dissipate heat well. Tinkerer Richard Gale has addressed those tics with his prototype NEX-5N cinema housing, by adding a heat sink and fan to stop the overheating problem and a possible anamorphic adapter and matte box to accommodate filters and gels. The provisional £1,500 price ($2,400) would get you the housing, NEX-5N with kit lens, 5" Sony LCD, and accessories, while the anamorphic kit with the matte box is still just a concept with no price tag. Neither idea will happen unless he gets enough orders, but wearing the boxy black outfit might finally give the petite mirrorless cam a shot of big-boy film cred. %Gallery-160155%
First DSLR 4K video from prototype Canon EOS-1D C reportedly emerges
If you've been wondering what kind of eye candy Canon's EOS-1D C is capable of, you might be in luck. The crew over at EOSHD have apparently snagged some 4K sample footage from an early prototype of the unreleased, professional-grade DSLR. The clip looks slick to us, albeit lacking in the scenery department. Even so, EOSHD comments that while a "massive step up for image quality compared to all previous DSLRs" the video footage isn't as sharp as stills from the 1D X (the 1D C's less-endowed sibling) and "not near what true 4K should look like." (Of course, anyone looking for true 4K is advised to step up to Sony's $70k F65 CineAlta, so we guess you get what you pay for). You can check out the minute-long clip, unfortunately scaled to a Vimeo-friendly 1,920 x 1,080, after the break. If your discerning eye demands the raw footage, however, why not grab the few seconds available at the source link and let us know your thoughts? That's what the comments are for, after all.
HD video possible in upcoming Leica compact, bon vivants check trust funds
Full-frame HD video in a brand new compact body, with Leica lenses? It could happen, but if you have to ask why exorbitant Leicas don't already do video then you probably can't afford it. While still calling the feature "theoretical", Leica's chairman Dr. Andreas Kaufmann intimated that the company had solved issues with data rate, battery life and heat for a possible M9 replacement. He also said that HD would be shown soon on "existing and new models", and Leica would stick with Truesense imaging, the former Kodak shop which supplies the M9 CCD, to make the new full-frame sensor. Whether that means video could also be retrofitted to existing M-series rangefinders remains to be seen, but more will be revealed on September 18th. Until then, if you need to make an extravagant splurge, the Hermes M9-P, perhaps?
Sony's 0.7-inch OLED microdisplay packs 720p resolution, has head-mounted displays in mind (update)
Say howdy to Sony's ECX332A! Excited? We'll, if you're into shooting DSLR video using electronic viewfinders, head-mounted displays, you might be. This new OLED microdisplay measures in it a mere 0.7-inches, managing an HD resolution of 1280 x 720. As understood by OLED-Info, it features "the same white OLED and color-filters architecture" as the ECX331A (far left), which is the 0.5-inch, 1024 × 768 XGA variant Sony's implemented inside of the EVFs found on its NEX-5N and A77 cameras, among others. Notably, it'll likely be a pleasure to look through with a brightness level rated at 200 cd/m2 and a peppy response time of 0.01ms. There's no word on what future Sony shooters we can expect to find the ECX332A in, but if you're curious for more details -- and well-versed in kana -- hit that source link below. Update: As it turns out, this isn't exactly a new EVF-purposed display -- it's apparently the microdisplay being used twice over inside of Sony's HMZ-T1 head-mounted 3D visor. You'll find further clarification at the "more coverage" links below. [Thanks, Aaron]
Nikon D7000 firmware update released, cools down 'hot pixels'
Hot on the heels of its P7000 firmware update, Nikon has just released one for its D7000 DSLR as well. The update was created for the sole purpose of fixing the hot pixel issue that pops up when taking videos in low light. While this doesn't completely eliminate the problem, the "bright spots" effect has been "reduced" according to Nikon USA. Unfortunately, this means you no longer have an excuse to not record your child's rendition of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Hit up the source link for the download.
Sony's Alpha A580 and A560 leak out with 1080i video recording mode?
If Sony's camera division were a ship, the crew would be shiftily eying the rowboats right about now, because yet another pair of Sony Alpha DSLRs have just sprung out another gaping hole. Sony Alpha Rumors brings convincing pictures of two Alpha A550 successors, the A580 and A560, which reportedly feature 16 megapixel and 14 megapixel sensors respectively. Like their predecessor, both feature 100-12,800 ISO ranges, Memory Stick and SD card slots and a fancy tilting LCD display, but now also reportedly sport 15 autofocus points (up from 9) and a 1080i AVCHD video recording mode. Pricing and availability are still in the cards, but don't fret -- we'll find out soon enough.
CoolerBot photographs nature, gets its power from it
If you're into real life bunny wabbits and other such wildlife, but not a fan of the cold, wet and windy outdoors, what do you do? We'd say just boot up the console and shoot you some pixelated peoples, but Steve Norris' idea might be just a tad more practical. He has authored the above mobile snap-station, which is equipped with an infrared video camera, a Nikon DSLR, and pairs of motors, 10Ah batteries, and solar panels. Power flows from the latter into the former to turn wildlife stalking into a pleasurable pastime for even the most indoorsy of folks. Video demonstration of the hardware after the break.
New SNL title sequence and segments shot using Canon EOS 7D, 5D Mark II
Sure, we'd heard of indie flicks and rumors of studio films being shot on Canon's EOS 5D Mark II, but DSLR video just got a big kick into the mainstream: Saturday Night Live's new opening title sequence was shot using an EOS 7D. SNL director of photography Alex Buono saw that Dublin's People short and was so impressed that he switched over -- and what's more, he's even using the 5D and 7D to shoot various segments, like the faux-mercial for "Bladivan" embedded below. That's a big win for this new breed of video cameras -- and while we're stoked to see new tech take over the old, we're also patiently waiting for someone to start a site dedicated to identifying jelly-motion on network television. [Thanks, Malkmus]
Nikon D3s with 1080p video rumored for release next month
This sort of burst out of nowhere today, but word is that a new Nikon D3s will hit on October 15 -- the crew at NikonRumors puts it at "99 percent probability." The D3s is expected to add 1080p video and an 14fps burst mode to the D3, as well as a 1.6x crop mode, but other than that we don't know too much. We'll keep you updated, it looks like the leaks are coming fast and furious.
Canon EOS 7D image appears online, might be in Best Buy systems
Canon might have announced a slew of new compacts today, but we're thinking the most exciting news might be this image of the legendary EOS 7D. That flash button would indicate the presence of a built-in flash, and those mic holes hint at video features, but apart from that we've got little else to go on -- there are whispers that the Best Buy inventory system is listing the body at $2700 and the kit with an EF 28-135 lens at $2900, but we can't verify those at the moment. We're dying to find out more about this one, stay tuned.[Thanks, manhog]Read - 7D image at dpreview forumsRead - 7D in Best Buy systems at Canon Rumors
Nikon D300s officially announced -- 720p/24 movie mode with autofocus and mic input
Well well, Nikon managed to keep the big secret about the new D300s under wraps even as everything else was leaked in the past few weeks: the new $1,799.95 body will shoot 24fps 720p video with contrast-detect autofocus and offers an external mic input. That's basically every would-be DSLR videographer's major wishlist right there -- sure, 1080p would have been nice, but we'll take better sound over a couple more lines of resolution any day. Other highlights include a 12.3 megapixel DX sensor, 51-point autofocus, and 7fps burst shooting, as well as those dual CF and SD card slots and a 920k pixel screen. Yeah, it's looking like a real beast -- that DX sensor probably doesn't have Canon 5D Mark II fans worried, but if you're looking to get into DSLR video this looks like the new cam to beat. Update: Digital Photography Review has a brief hands-on with the camera, clarifying that the contrast-detection autofocus isn't the quickest, and like we learned with the Olympus E-P1 you'll need to use an external mic when shooting to avoid the ever-present "shhhk" sound. Also of note is continuous shooting, which has been given a boost to seven frames per second -- eight if you have the battery grip -- compared to D300 and that it has the same memory card door as the D700.
First Nikon D5000 and Canon T1i video clips appear
It's kind of strange that the most anticipated sample media from the latest crop of DSLRs is actually HD video, but that's the way the market's going, and the new Canon EOS Rebel T1i and Nikon D5000 are no exception. Demystifying Digital has footage from both, and while Nikon's newest seems to deliver essentially the same CMOS jelly-motion results from its 12.3 megapixel sensor as the D90, the T1i is a pleasant surprise -- we're not seeing much wiggle at 720p, which might be a result of the higher-res 15 megapixel sensor. We'll wait to see full-res samples and some actual still images before we crown a winner, but we'll tell you right now that neither one of these is going to make us leave a dedicated camcorder behind when it's important -- the lack of autofocus and the windblown internal mics just don't cut it. Videos after the break.Read - Nikon D5000Read - Canon T1i
Canon working on DSLR-based pro video camera?
It's a pretty sketchy rumor, but we're hearing that Canon's working on a pro video camera based on a 12.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor similar to the one in the Rebel XSi. That makes perfect sense to us, actually -- DSLRs with video capabilities like the 5D Mark II and the new Rebel T1i have definitely shaken up people's expectations of prosumer video, and Canon's sitting on a well-regarded camcorder division primed to pounce on a new market. According to CanonRumors, the new pro cam will look similar to the XL H1 pictured above with support for EF and EF-S lenses, sport fully manual controls as well as autofocus, and shoot 720p/30/60 and 1080p/24/30/60 to 56Mbit/s MPEG-4. Sounds pretty good, but aye, there's a rub: word is that Canon's DSLRs won't ever get similar video features in order to protect this cam's high-end $8,000 price tag -- which sucks, but also makes perfect (if annoying) sense to us. It's all rumor for now, but we'll see how it pans out -- the pro and prosumer video market are about to get crazy interesting.
