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Fujifilm's X-Pro3 mimics film cameras with a fold-out display
One of Fujifilm's most iconic mirrorless cameras is about to get a head-turning update. On Friday, Fujifilm confirmed it's developing a new version of the X-Pro called the X-Pro3 and shared a number of details about the upcoming camera. To start, the X-Pro3 features a new titanium outer casing that will come in three finishes: Black, 'Dura Black' and 'Dura Silver.' Fuji says the new material helps makes the X-Pro3 more durable. Additionally, the company claims they've made the X-Pro series' signature hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder even better. The OLED EVF panel features a higher resolution, better contrast and brightness, wider color space and a faster frame rate. The latter spec bump should make the EVF feel more like its traditional, optical counterpart.
The new mirrorless cameras you can buy soon
Photokina 2018 has been great for camera fans, particularly those who love mirrorless shooters. At the event in Cologne, Germany, we saw a few new models from big players like Fujifilm and Panasonic -- some medium format, others full frame. Whatever system you prefer, there's no doubt you won't have any shortage of options if you're looking to buy a mirrorless camera in the near future. There already plenty of great ones in stores right now, such as Sony's A7 III, but Photokina brought us more mirrorless cameras to look forward to. Let's take a look at the best of them.
Fujifilm shakes it off with a Taylor Swift-themed instant camera
Fujifilm is no stranger to collaborating with people from other industries, particularly when it comes to its instant cameras. A couple of years ago, the company worked with designer Michael Kors on a special, fashionable edition of the Instax Mini 70, and now it's enlisting none other than Taylor Swift to help it sell its retro cameras. Pictured above is the Taylor Swift Edition of Fujifilm's first analog square-format shooter, the SQ6, which was apparently designed by the pop star herself.
A closer look at Fujifilm's GFX 50R and GFX 100 medium format cameras
We knew coming into Photokina 2018 that Fujifilm had some big plans for the event, and the company did not disappoint with its announcements. Aside from introducing the Instax Square SQ20, Fujifilm's had two major reveals at the show: the GFX 50R and GFX 100. These are medium format mirrorless cameras, powered by system Fujifilm likes to call Super Full Frame, that come with large sensors and a hefty price tag. The GFX 50R, for starters, is essentially a successor to the GFX 50S from 2017, which was $6,500 when it launched. Inside, it's nearly identical to the 50S, sporting a 51.4-megapixel sensor, 100-12,800 ISO range a 400-shot battery capacity and a weather-sealed body.
Fujifilm's Square SQ20 is an ideal modern instant camera
Over the past few years, Fujifilm has been trying hard to make instant cameras a thing again. And the company has introduced yet another model at Photokina 2018. The Instax Square SQ20 follows the SQ10 from 2017, featuring a similar hybrid instant system that lets you print out Polaroid-style photos while simultaneously giving you access to a small touchscreen. That retro tech combined with digital features is what makes Fujifilm's SQ line appealing to new and old generations alike.
Fujifilm's SQ10 is an instant camera for the Instagram generation
Instant film cameras have been making a comeback in recent years, and Fujifilm is partially responsible for this. The manufacturer's Instax Mini 8, for instance, is a best-seller on Amazon, which may have to do with the fact it only costs around $70. But the company seems to think people are willing to pay way more than that for one of its Instax shooters. Enter the Square SQ10, a hybrid digital instant camera that costs $280, offering the best of both worlds at a premium. It features a newly minted CMOS sensor (1/4-inch) with a 28.5mm f/2.4 fixed lens and an image processor that, Fuji says, will push out the best shots yet from an Instax product.
Fujifilm's new Instax camera is half digital, half instant
Panasonic isn't the only camera maker introducing a new, affordable product today. Fujifilm is doing the same with the Instax Square SQ10, a hybrid digital/instant shooter with a retro look and a 3-inch, 460,000-dot LCD on back. Inside, the SQ10 features a freshly minted system with a CMOS sensor and an image processor that, according to Fujifilm, will produce better shots than any previous Instax camera -- especially in low-light situations. In addition to that, the company is introducing a new film format, which will let you print pictures in a 1:1 aspect ratio (aka a square, like most of your Instagram posts).
A week with Fujifilm's GFX 50S medium-format mirrorless camera
Fujifilm surprised the camera world last year with the introduction of the GFX 50S, its first medium-format mirrorless. The shooter, which is now available for $6,500 body only, packs a large 51.4-megapixel CMOS sensor (43.8 x 32.9mm) in a DSLR-like frame that only weighs 1.6lbs (740g). If you've ever used a Fuji before, its ergonomics should be familiar, thanks in large part to the company's trademark physical dials and generally premium build. What powers the GFX 50S is the latest X-Processor Pro, the same imaging chip found on Fujifilm's flagship X-Pro2 and X-T2 cameras.
A closer look at Fujifilm's X-T20 and X100F compact cameras
Fujifilm's first medium-format mirrorless, the GFX 50S, isn't the only camera the company is getting ready to launch. Yesterday, it also revealed the X-T20 and X100F, the latest additions to its X-series line of compact shooters. Even though the X-T20 is ostensibly a successor to the X-T10, it's actually more like an affordable version of the X-T2. Meanwhile, the X100F is geared toward fans of fixed-lens systems. Both feature new X-Trans sensors, classic retro designs and Fujifilm's trademark physical dials, which lets you easily adjust settings like exposure compensation and shutter speeds.
Fujifilm's GFX 50S pairs a huge sensor with a DSLR-like body
Fujifilm is kicking off 2017 with the launch of its first medium-format mirrorless camera, the GFX 50S. As we reported yesterday, the new shooter comes with a giant 51.4-megapixel CMOS sensor (43.8 x 32.9mm), the same image processor as the X-Pro2 and X-T2, as well as a 117-point autofocus system. You won't find any 4K video features here, however; the device is limited to 1080p recording at up to 30fps. Still, people are probably more interested in the GFX 50S' still photography capabilities anyway.
Fujifilm's GFX 50S medium-format mirrorless camera costs $6,500
We've known since last year that Fujifilm was working on the GFX 50S, a mirrorless camera with a medium-format sensor. But, until now, the manufacturer hadn't said how much it would cost or when it would be up for grabs. Thankfully for those of you who are interested, Fujifilm has announced that its GFX 50S is set to hit stores in "late" February for $6,500 (body-only). While that price may seem steep, it's considerably lower than a competitor like Hasselblad's X1D, which sells for roughly $9,000.
Leica's Sofort instant camera is better than it looks
A $300 Leica? An instant Leica? Strange things are afoot. We were a little taken aback by the announcement of the Sofort, a $300 instant camera from the storied German camera brand. It doesn't look very... Leica-y, and instant cameras aren't really known for the level of quality that the Leica dot typically signifies. Nonetheless, when the opportunity arose to spend some time with the Sofort at Photokina 2016, we jumped on it. After roughly 30 minutes, I came away pretty impressed with the Sofort. It looks a lot better in person than the promotional images suggested, with a solid, albeit plasticky, build and decent handling. The lens, according to the representative I spoke to, is Leica made, and fixed at 60mm. That translates to about 34mm on a full-frame camera, which is a nice all-round focal length. Being a film camera, there's no display for previewing images, meaning you need to peer through a viewfinder to frame your photos. From there, you can choose from numerous scene presets including selfie and macro modes. There's also a mirror on the front to held you frame your face correctly.
Leica unveils the Sofort instant film camera
With Kodak and others trying to make film cool again, Leica has jumped into the fray with an instant camera, the Sofort. It uses Fuji's Instax format, and Leica has even decided to release its own brand of film, available in black and white or color. The German company designed the body itself, though it's very ... un-Leica like. If anything, Fuji's own retro-styled Instax camera has a more Leica-esque look.
Fujifilm X-Pro2: The upgraded premium camera finally arrives
As rumored, Fujifilm's beloved X-Pro1 is indeed getting a sequel. Meet its appropriately named X-Pro2, the top-of-the-line camera that Fuji fanatics have long been waiting on. Designed for professional photographers, the X-Pro2 packs a 24.3-megapixel X-trans CMOS III sensor and new X-Processor Pro imaging chip, up to 8 fps continuous shooting, an extended ISO of 51,200 and a weather-resistant aluminum body. It also features an Advanced Hybrid Multi Viewfinder, which lets users swiftly switch between electronic and optical modes -- we've seen a similar option on previous Fujifilm cameras, such as the X100T and X100S.
Fujifilm's mid-tier camera line grows with its X-E2S and X70
Not into the FinePix XP90 that was just announced? Don't worry, Fujifilm has something else for you. The Japanese camera maker is also introducing the X-E2S and X70, a pair of compact shooters for people who want to start getting serious about photography. First off, there's the X-E2S, which sports a 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor, alongside a newly developed 49-point autofocus system and a max ISO range of up to 51,200. In addition to that, you'll get 1080p video at 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 fps, but you won't find any 4K support here.
Sony's new A7R II brings more than just a resolution bump
Sony's A7 range of full-frame mirrorless cameras has only been around for just under two years and yet there are already six members in the lineup. The company has wasted no time in filling the series with models tuned for different uses -- from low-light performance to high-megapixel applications. The A7R II, with its 42.4-megapixel full-frame sensor, certainly falls in that latter category with specs that place it roughly in the same league as heavy hitters from Canon and Nikon. Still, bullet points on a page are one thing; using it in the field can uncover something entirely different. I spent a month with the expensive shooter ($3,200 for the body) and it turns out Sony's latest megapixel monster can hold its own among the big boys.
Fuji's premium telephoto zoom packs some serious punch
Fujifilm may still be a relatively niche player in the mirrorless camera field, but that's not stopping the company from putting out some serious lenses to go along with its well-regarded X-series cameras. With the $1,600 XF50-140mm zoom, Fuji's hoping to provide a professional-level, weather-sealed telephoto zoom that can compete with the legendary 70-200mm lenses from companies like Nikon and Canon. I spent a month with the lens to see how close the company came.
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.
Fujifilm packs a ton of power in the X30 point-and-shoot
The highlight for Fujifilm at this year's Photokina is undoubtedly the X100T and its brilliant hybrid viewfinder, but the X30 point-and-shoot is also not to be missed. Internally, the $599 compact is nearly identical to its predecessor, the X20, with the same 12-megapixel, 2/3-inch CMOS sensor and f/2.0-2.8, 28-112mm lens, but it features a few improvements that might make an upgrade worthwhile for at least a few select Fuji fans. The most significant boost is a new 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder, which provides a full 100-percent view, along with a new tilting 3-inch high-res LCD.
Laser-equipped robot printer will hunt you down and print your expenses
Let's be real here for a sec: printers are almost always a snoozefest. But when it's a Roomba-like robotic printer at your beck and call -- spitting print-outs while following you around -- then things get a lot more exciting. Fuji Xerox recently tested its latest experimental model which has wheels so it can come to you, and lasers, so it can avoid obstacles along the way. During its test run in a Tokyo building, people had to access a special URL and by dragging a file into the browser window, could summon the roving printer. In order to protect everyone's privacy (as the machine could be accessed by anyone in the building's lounge), users had to authenticate their order by scanning their personal "Print Delivery Service" cards -- the printer won't actually be spewing out documents while rolling to their destination. Unfortunately, you can't get one of these machines to spice up your offices just yet, so you'll have to endure using those boring static printers (if you still even use one anymore) for now.
