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Canon XC10 camcorder shoots 4K and looks damn good doing it
It's hard to get too excited about camcorders these days, what with most of them looking basically the same -- never mind how useful they may be sometimes. Canon's new XC10, on the other hand, is one that instantly caught our attention, thanks to its distinctive, out-of-the-ordinary design. And that's not even the best part. The XC10 can shoot 4K and 1080p video at up to 30 fps and 60 fps, respectively; on the former, there's support for both Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) and cinematic 4K (4,096 x 2,160), bringing it on par with the newly announced C300 Mark II. What's more, this Canon 4K camcorder features a 1-inch, 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, alongside a Digic DV 5 processor, 10x wide-angle zoom lens and optical image stabilization -- which should make for rather smooth videos.
Canon's C300 Mark II cinema camera will cost you $20,000
More than three years after launching the C300, Canon is refreshing its line of cinema cameras with the C300 Mark II. On the outside, the C300 Mark II is quite similar to its EOS siblings, although it does come with a slightly tweaked design that features a wider body. But the most important changes are elsewhere. For one, Canon has made the new cinema camera capable of recording 4K internally, via CFast 2.0 cards -- as opposed to the first version, which couldn't handle this type of footage natively. The C300 Mark II sports a pair of DIGIC DV 5 processors, an ISO range of up to 102,400 and a brand new 8.85-megapixel, Super 35mm CMOS sensor, which can shoot video at full HD (1,920 x 1,080), 2K DCI (2,048 X 1,080), 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) and, perhaps most importantly, 4K DCI (4,096 x 2,160).
Japan's big photography show focuses on top-end cameras and distant prototypes
There were selfie sticks. There were even a handful of drones, but Japan's annual CP+ camera show remains, unmistakably, a truly big camera show. It's one for the masses too: press and business visitors mingle alongside the Japanese public, most of whom took Thursday or Friday off to see this year's big camera launches. 'Big' encompasses both the substantially-sized DSLRs that were on show as well the accompanying price tags. While camera companies had plenty of entry- to mid-level point-and-shoots (still!) for customers ignoring the existence of smartphones, it's those substantially pricier models from most of the camera companies that caught our attention most. "See the next groundbreaking models from Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Pentax... but no touching." Having said that, a depressing trend for anyone attending the show: most of the interesting cameras were cocooned in glass cases. Come to CP+ 2015 and see the next groundbreaking models from Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Pentax! But no touching.
Daily Roundup: Inventor of the PC, Left Shark impostors and more!
Dr. Mark Dean helped design the first PC during his career at IBM and shares his thoughts on the future of the desktop computer. Meanwhile, Katy Perry's lawyers go after Left Shark impostors and students in Singapore make a 3D-printed solar powered car. Get all of today's top stories in the Daily Roundup.
Canon's 5Ds and 5Ds R have whopping 50.6-megapixel sensors
Yes, dear readers, the rumors are true: Canon has two new flagship DSLR cameras. Enter the 5Ds and 5Ds R, each packing a massive 50.6-megapixel full-frame sensor -- which, at first glance, is clearly the specification that stands out the most. But there's more to these beasts, naturally, starting with a Dual DIGIC 6 image processor inside, plus a 3.2-inch fixed LCD (same as on the 5D Mark III), 61-point autofocus, cropped shooting mode and an overhauled chassis that's designed to minimize camera shake as well as improve stability. What's more, both cameras have a built-in time lapse feature, up to 5 fps high-speed, continuous shooting and a revamped intelligent view finder that can cover nearly 100 percent of the field of view -- similar to the one found on the recently released 7D Mark II. Meanwhile, a freshly implemented lock and lag setting lets you control the timing between the mirror (which is now motor-driven) and the shutter, allowing the cameras to offer interval options of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1 and 2 seconds.
Canon's Rebel T6s and T6i DSLRs tout WiFi and advanced controls
Despite the rise of mirrorless cameras, Canon has been relatively cautious updating its Rebel DSLR line. The last big upgrade was the T5i from two years ago, and even that was considered more of a refresh than a revamp. Well, the series is finally getting an overhaul -- and in some cases, it might be enough to make you skip more expensive shooters. Both the new Rebel T6i and T6s (above) carry sharper 24.2-megapixel sensors and DIGIC 6 processors that let them pull off feats that are both welcome and, frankly, a little overdue. They now have EOS-70D-like fast autofocusing embedded in the pixels themselves and (new to Canon) color tone detection. You'll also be glad to know that the Rebel range is finally getting built-in WiFi for photo transfers, and you can pair with Android phones or accessories over NFC.
Canon teases the PowerShot G3 X, its next premium point-and-shoot
If you're into high-end compact cameras, you'll have another one to choose from soon -- we just don't know how soon. Interestingly, Canon has revealed that it is working on the PowerShot G3 X, but the company wasn't willing to share many details about it. What we do know, however, is that the G3 X point-and-shoot camera is slated to feature a large (for its size) 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 24-600mm (35mm-equivalent), 25x optical zoom lens. The company says this model will fit right between the G1 X Mark II and G7 X, as it looks to expand its offerings for people who want a well-specced, premium compact shooter. Canon's calling this a "product development announcement" for now, but we'll know more about the G3 X at the CP+ imaging event in Yokohama, Japan, next week.
Canon's latest super-zoom camera packs a 40x lens and a low price
Canon is determined to leave no camera niche uncovered, it seems. Just a month after it kicked out an avalanche of PowerShot point-and-shoots, it's back with two more that fill what few holes are left. The SX410 IS super-zoom is the darling of the two, and improves on the still-young SX400 IS with an even longer-ranged 40x stabilized lens and a sharper 20.2-megapixel sensor for a modest $280 -- slightly more than the $250 SX400, but arguably a better deal if you just have to get up-close photos. There's sadly no WiFi or NFC, though, and you'll have to be content with recording 720p movies. The SX410 IS should hit shops in March.
Canon's newest connected cameras: when a smartphone still won't do
You know the drill: Smartphones are making compact cameras obsolete, killing the category and yada yada. But still! Camera makers launch a seemingly endless number of new models at CES, and Canon is a great example of that this year. It just unveiled no fewer than eight compact, superzoom and video cameras in the PowerShot, ELPH and VIXIA lines, along with a Pixma photo printer. The common thread among them is wireless connectivity: Each features WiFi and NFC (other than the ELPHs and VIXIA HF R600), letting you get social with your smartphone sans the optical drawbacks. The wireless aspect also provides connectivity with peripherals like Canon's Connection Station CS100 or the new Pixma MX492 photo printer.
Canon's new media station keeps your photos and videos in one place
Canon has been teasing a media hub for a long, long time now, and today it finally has something to show at CES 2015. Known as the Cross Media station in its earlier stages, the new Connect Station CS100 is a physical media hub that lets you easily store, transfer, view and share all of your photos and videos. The network storage device comes with a 1TB hard drive, WiFi, NFC and a wireless remote. In terms of accessibility, there are slots for SD and CF cards as well as USB and Ethernet ports, making it simple to import your media files into the Connect Station.
Which compact cameras are worth buying?
Plenty of people have switched to smartphones for their photography needs, but that doesn't mean standalone cameras are dead just yet. Companies like Fuji, Canon and Olympus continue to make great DSLRs and interchangeable lens cameras for photographers who are serious about their picture-taking. But what about users who aren't that advanced, but still want something that packs a little more oomph than the average smartphone? There's a sub-category of cameras just for that, known as compacts. They're easy enough for a novice to use, but still offer plenty of options for experienced users. We've taken a look at a few of the more outstanding models on the market to help you decide whether it's worth carrying a separate camera for those precious photogenic moments.
Lumera lets you post high-res snapshots on Instagram with one click
You are done (DONE!) taking selfies with a phone like some plebeian -- you only take DSLR selfies now, even though it's a pain transferring photos using a camera without built-in WiFi. A camera attachment called Lumera wants to solve that problem by giving you a way to upload high-res snapshots to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with a single click. To integrate the WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy device with a DSLR, you need to attach it via the tripod screw and plug it into the camera's mini-USB port. So long as you define the social networks of your choice on its accompanying app, you won't have to take out your phone to upload pics anymore. The app itself is pretty useful, though: it can stream whatever the camera's viewfinder is looking at, set timelapses and access the DSLR's settings remotely.
There's a Canon printer that can run 'Doom' (really)
It's been over twenty years since the original Doom first hit PCs, and we're still obsessed with getting the damned thing running on just about everything with a processor. See that tiny screen up there? That's a Canon PIXMA printer that's been coaxed into running the classic shoot-em-up, thanks to a bit of elbow grease and an once-insecure web interface that lets users remotely print test pages and download firmware updates. Since you didn't need to punch in a username and password to access that interface, security researcher Michael Jordon used that oversight to get the lowly-printer to executing foreign code. The end result? Yet another device we can use in our apparently never-ending war against hellspawn (though the color palette does get a little screwy sometimes). Naturally, don't expect to pull the same fast one on your own for much longer -- Canon plans to release a fix the issue as soon as it's "feasible".
Canon targets Sony's popular RX100 with PowerShot G7 X point-and-shoot
When you're looking to buy a camera, the physical size of the sensor -- not the megapixel rating -- is what you want to keep an eye out for. The larger the better, of course, and while we may never see pocketable full-frame cameras with powerful zoom lenses, some manufacturers are getting close. Sony was the first such camera maker to debut a camera with a 1-inch sensor, the RX100, and now Canon's trying to reclaim some of that high-end point-and-shoot market share with a model of its own. The PowerShot G7 X is Canon's first 1-inch sensor camera, and while it costs a pretty penny ($700), you do get what you pay for.
The 7D Mark II is Canon's best DSLR without a full-frame sensor
The wait is over. Canon's long-anticipated EOS 7D Mark II is here, shipping in November for $1,799, without a lens. With a price tag that high, you'd think it'd be safe to assume that the company's consumer flagship sports a full-frame sensor. It does not. It does, however, represent an enormous step up from the original model -- the Mark II includes just about every feature a pro photographer (and video shooter) could hope for, excluding a 35mm sensor, of course, and integrated WiFi. Instead, there's a 20.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, which, despite a similar spec, is an improvement over what you'll get with the 70D. You can also take advantage of a new 51,200 top ISO and a 10 fps continuous shooting mode (at full resolution, of course), powered by the dual DIGIC 6 processors.
Canon's bringing back the square selfie cam with PowerShot N2
Early last year, a Canon rep pulled out a point-and-shoot with a very peculiar design. Instead of the rectangular form factor we'd grown used to, this camera was square. The PowerShot N was designed to be held any which way, making it a good fit for both righties and lefties, but without any pronounced grip, it didn't feel quite as natural to hold. We were a bit relieved, then, when Canon debuted the N100 with a more familiar look and feel, but at Photokina, the company's returning to the original shape and size with the PowerShot N2. The N2 replaces the original N -- the N100 will remain on the market -- bringing a slew of new features for social sharers and video bloggers alike.
Canon's most powerful superzoom sports advanced video features, 65x lens
If you need a 21-1365mm focal range in a single permanently affixed lens, man does Canon have the camera for you. The PowerShot SX60 HS, which replaces the SX50, sports a 65x optical zoom with an f/3.4-6.5 maximum aperture range and features to help you track distant subjects when you're zoomed all the way in. The camera's Advanced Zoom Framing Assist lets you select how much of a person you want to keep in the frame, and the camera will automatically zoom in and out to maintain that composition. The SX60 has an upgraded 16.1-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 6 processor, a 922k-dot viewfinder that flips out, up and forward, along with built-in WiFi and NFC.
Canon's probably launching an updated version of its 7D next week
The photographic industry is gearing up for one of its biggest events, Photokina in Cologne, which kicks-off next week. Naturally, the preceding fortnight is a high-time for the internet's leak-happy camera fans, and Digital Camera Info has, once again, come up with the goods. The site is claiming that Canon will launch the 7D Mark II at the shindig. According to the spec list, the dust-proof magnesium alloy shell is protecting a boosted 20.2-megapixel CMOS, dual DIGIC 6 processors and a 65-point autofocus. The 7D Mark II will shoot full-HD video at 60p, which will keep Canon's cottage industry of DSLR-toting cinematographers happy. Of course, this is all just rumor and speculation, so take it with a pinch of salt, but just a small one - we're watching our cholesterol.
Engadget giveaway: win a Canon EOS Rebel T5 and more, courtesy of NeroTrigger!
Whether you want to get serious about high-speed photography or just spice up your Instagram feed, tools like NeroTrigger can help you on your way. The device can trigger a camera based on outside events like light, sound or movement (if paired with a laser sight). Lightning strikes, fireworks, wild life or popping balloons can be captured automatically in those split seconds when the magic happens. NeroTrigger has even launched a Kickstarter for its smartphone-controlled version called MIOPS, which puts even more programmable power at your fingertips. In the meantime, though, the company has provided a full high-speed kit including the current NeroTrigger, a Canon EOS Rebel T5, an external flash and a laser pointer so that one lucky Engadget reader can step up their photography game. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this high-speed photography combo! Winner: congratulations to Max M. of Palantine, IL. [Image: Corbis (lightning background]
Canon's new PowerShot cameras are for super-zoom lovers
Despite the popularity of smartphone (and tablet) cameras increasing by the minute, companies like Canon aren't ready to throw in the towel for classics such as the point-and-shoot. With that in mind, the Japanese camera maker has introduced a pair of compact, super-zoom shooters: the PowerShot SX400 IS and PowerShot XS520HS. For starters, the entry-level SX400 IS, priced at $250, comes with a 16-megapixel CCD sensor, Digic 4+ image chip and 30x optical zoom, plus a number of "Smart Auto" features that Canon hopes make it easy for users to snap some great quality photos and video. The SX520 HS, on the other hand, is $400, but the heavier price tag, naturally, signifies a better spec sheet. There's a 16-megapixel High-Sensitivity sensor (with the same image processor as the SX400), 42x optical zoom and a mini-HDMI, as well as speedy autofocus and enhanced stabilization systems. If you're interested, you won't have to wait long to get one -- Canon's bringing the new PowerShots to market soon, starting with the SX400 IS in August and SX520 HS the following month.
