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Huawei's Mate 20 Pro can wirelessly charge other phones
Over the past few months, all major smartphone manufacturers have laid down their last hands and stepped away from the table for the rest of the year. Apart from Huawei, that is, which -- as usual -- is getting the last word in by spilling the beans on the new Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro today. Historically, the Mate series was intended as direct competition to Samsung's Note family, but these days it's more like Huawei's fall flagships, filling in the gaps between the spring, P family launches. It's no great revelation, then, that the Mate 20 Pro features the high-end camera system Huawei's become known for. Beyond that, though, the company's crammed all the best smartphone tech it could into the Mate 20 Pro, including special charging features you can't find anywhere else.
Sony's full-frame mirrorless cameras finally have some competition
Since the launch of the A7 and A7R in 2013, Sony has had virtually no competition in the full-frame mirrorless space. Major players like Canon, Nikon and Panasonic were keeping their focus on other camera formats, such as APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, point-and-shoots and full-frame DSLRs. But that's all starting to change. At Photokina 2018, Panasonic introduced its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Lumix S1R and S1, which feature 47- and 24-megapixel sensors, respectively. While these are still in development and likely won't launch until next year, the fact that Panasonic has finally given in and is making a full-frame mirrorless shows Sony is about to start facing some serious competition. It validates all the efforts the company's been making in that market for the past few years, leading up to the gold standard that's its latest model, the A7 III.
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.
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.
Leica's new app lets you control your camera with a smartphone
We know Leica is planning to announce some cameras at Photokina 2018, but before it gets to that, the company has revealed a new app for owners of its current shooters. The Fotos application, which will work for iOS and Android when it launches, is going to let Leica users to control their camera remotely with a smartphone and do things like touch to focus.
Panasonic announces two full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras
Following the launch of the L-Mount alliance, Panasonic has revealed a pair of full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras, the 47-megapixel Lumix S1R and 24-megapixel S1. Both have built-in image stabilization, a large, high-resolution EVF, triaxial tilt LCD for both selfie photographers and vloggers, the highest flash sync speeds on the market, and double slots for SD and XQD cards. Both models are set to arrive in spring of 2019, with further specifications to be revealed later. To take on its larger rivals, Panasonic isn't going it alone. It has partnered with Sigma and Leica, and will be using Leica's existing full-frame-L mount system. That's a practical move, as Panasonic and Leica have worked together in the past, and Leica already has nearly a dozen SL lenses and adapters. The mount is compatible with its APS-C TL lenses, too.
Panasonic, Leica and Sigma unveil the L-Mount mirrorless alliance
Panasonic, Leica and Sigma have joined forces to create the L-Mount alliance for full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras to better compete against Nikon, Canon and Sony. The alliance will support Leica's L-Mount system, first launched in 2014 and used by the company for its TL APS-C and SL full-frame mirrorless models. The alliance makes it likely that Panasonic and possibly Sigma will unveil their own full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras and lenses soon.
We're live from Photokina 2018!
While Canon and Nikon have already unveiled their long-awaited full-frame mirrorless cameras, there are other big players that may be looking to enter the category next. We're in Cologne, Germany for Photokina 2018, where rumor has it Panasonic is set to reveal a full-frame mirrorless shooter of its own -- though it could just be a prototype, with an actual launch not expected until 2019. Fujifilm, for its part, is reportedly preparing to announce another medium-format camera, one with a massive 100-megapixel sensor. Then there's Sony, which could reveal a high-end APS-C model inspired by its A9 full-frame mirrorless. Stay tuned, because it's going to be a busy week of camera news in Germany. Follow all the latest news from Photokina 2018 here!
Photokina 2018: What to expect
Starting on September 25th, camera obsessives will converge on Cologne for Photokina 2018, the world's largest camera show. This year has been the the busiest for cameras in a long while, with Nikon and Canon unveiling their much-anticipated Z6/Z7 and EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras. That doesn't mean there won't be surprises and big launches, though. We might see some more full-frame mirrorless cameras, a new medium-format model and a lot more.
Leica's M10-P rangefinder has an ultra-quiet mechanical shutter
Leica has unveiled the M10-P rangefinder, an update to last year's M10 with a couple of changes that makes it even more discreet and technically proficient. The biggest change is a new mechanical shutter that's Leica's quietest ever, even more so than its old film cameras that were famous for their silent operation. It's not completely noise-free like, say, Sony's A7 III in silent mode, but unless you're right next to your subject, they likely won't hear a thing.
Leica C-Lux brings style to long-zoom compact cameras
When you think of compact cameras with long-zoom lenses, "fashionable" probably doesn't come to mind. They tend to be very utilitarian devices where looks take a backseat to the optics you need for a dramatic vacation shot. Leica wants to change that: it's introducing a new C-Lux camera that gives the category some flair. It's ultimately a reskinned Panasonic Lumix ZS200, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The C-Lux combines the ZS200's 15x (24-360mm equivalent) f/3.3-6.4 lens and 1-inch, 20.1-megapixel sensor with a considerably posher design in an attention-grabbing "Light Gold" or a more sober "Midnight Blue." This is a camera that wouldn't look out of place at a classic car show or a polo match.
Huawei P20 Pro review: The best phone you'll never buy
For the past few months, Huawei has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons — the US government warned against buying the company's phones, which led to the breakdown of near-final deals with AT&T and Verizon. Then Best Buy, one of its few US retail partners, backed away too. We're not sure if the concerns hold any weight, but one thing is clear: It sucks to be Huawei right now. And in the midst of that turmoil, Huawei revealed its new P20 Pro, a remarkably well-built device with a triple camera system and loads of style. I doubt that would ever win over a Sinophobic bureaucrat though, so there's a strong chance no one in the US will ever be able to walk into a store and buy one. That's a shame because after using it as my daily driver for a while, I'm convinced it's one of Huawei's all-time best, and one of the year's great Android phones.
Huawei's P20 Pro rivals the best smartphone cameras out there
We're a skeptical bunch at Engadget, and when Huawei briefed us on its P20 Pro smartphone, listing an endless torrent of specifications and dubbing its Leica Triple Camera system "the most advanced camera on a phone yet," we collectively rolled our eyes. Forty-megapixel camera sensor? I've heard that one before, Huawei. It was only once I was able to test the P20 Pro away from briefing rooms and technical demos (spending a day shooting around a rain-soaked Paris) that the phone started to win me over -- and others. If you like the idea of an accomplished 5x zoom function, and the potential for gorgeous nighttime photography, you have to consider Huawei's latest phones.
Huawei P20 Pro hands-on: Camera tricks and a supercar finish
Huawei may be best known for US retailers not stocking its wares, but regardless, the company continues to ramp up its flagship smartphones. In the past few years, phones like the P9 made a lot of us stand up and take notice, thanks to classy design touches and Huawei's own imaging tricks. Its next phones, the P20 and P20 Pro, take that latter part even further as the company tries to spar with Samsung and the rest with a tapestry of AI skills and so very many camera sensors. There's so much going on when it comes to imaging (both in terms of hardware and software) that, at least during my short time with both phones, I couldn't test out all the modes and use cases. I'll say this, though: Huawei is taking its smartphone cameras very seriously.
Leica's CL gives an iconic design the modern tech it deserves
Up until recently, Leica built lovely, expensive cameras that no-one ever called "state-of-the-art." The TL2, however, recently marked a change in direction. Not only was it relatively cheap for a Leica at $1,950, but it was endowed with modern features like 4K video. It's pushing that idea further with the CL, its new $2,795 flagship 24.2-megapixel APS-C mirrorless that looks and feels more like an old-school Leica, thanks to a new body and manual dials. At the same time, it's got the tech you'd expect in a modern camera, including an all-new electronic viewfinder.
Sports brands are giving wearables another shot at success
Wearables are only as good as the apps they're compatible with. And companies making health-focused products, like smartwatches, fitness bands and even hybrids of these two, are starting to realize that. But in order to have applications that lure people to your platform, whether you're Apple, Samsung or Fitbit, often it's better if you have a hand in developing them. That's why, especially at IFA 2017, many tech firms are teaming up with brands from different industries to add a new element of usefulness to their wearables. In some cases, that often includes special-edition products created between two companies.
Leica's TL2 gains more megapixels and 4K video
When you consider the limited features you get for the astronomical prices, it's easy to roll your eyes at Leica. However, it's just released the TL2, the compact APS-C successor to the original TL, that finally looks like a modern mirrorless. For $1,950 -- a lot, but not as crazy as some models -- you get an all-new 24-megapixel sensor, a shutter that allows up to a 20 fps shooting speed and 1/40,000th of a second and, yep, 4K video.
Shooting photos with the Leica-branded Huawei P10
With the P9, Huawei made a pretty big push for the photography crowd. The company teamed up with Leica, an iconic camera brand, for a new dual-lens system on the back. It was a decent performer but far from revolutionary. So it was with great trepidation that I picked up the P10, Huawei's new Android flagship and the second to feature the Leica name. Once again, it's an attempt by Huawei to prove that it's more than a me-too smartphone manufacturer. Like Apple, it wants to be known as a company with art, design and taste at its core. But are the P10's photographs any good?
Leica's M10 rangefinder gives you full mechanical control
Unless you're really fond of its lens system, Leica's M-series range-finders have always been a tough sell -- models like the M8 and M9 have limited features, and they cost a fortune. Leica has just launched the M10, though, and is trying to give you a bit more (and less) for your money. The mirrorless model is now as small as classic film cameras like the M7 and weighs about the same. It's also got a new ISO-adjustment mechanical dial so that you don't have to dip into the menus, which again makes for a more Leica-like experience.
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.