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Pentax offers 100 different custom color options for its Q10 mirrorless camera
If Pentax's Q10 ILC piqued your interest when we got to play with it back in September, then perhaps the choice of 100 different paint jobs might push you to a purchase. Alongside several new cameras at CES 2013, the camera-maker will start to offer custom ordering for the mirrorless unit, with a choice of colors for both the grip and body. And the options? They include pink, white, black, red, turquoise, gold, green, magenta, orange and brown -- and Pentax will be offering them all direct from its Q10 studio site, which you can find at the source.
Samsung unveils 3D-capable NX300 mirrorless camera and 45mm f/1.8 2D/3D lens ahead of CES, we go eyes on (update)
TVs and robotic vacuums aren't the only Smart-branded devices Samsung will be showing off at this year's CES. We just met with the company here in NYC to take a look at its newest entrant into the camera game, dubbed the NX300. No, it's not Android-equipped, but this 20.3-megapixel, APS-C shooter stands as its new flagship mirrorless model. It boasts the key gimmick feature of 3D capability for stills and videos (up to 1080p at 60fps), thanks to a new DRIMe IV processor. Getting the usual numbers aside, you'll be able to harness an ISO range of 100 to 25600, a maximum shutter speed of 1,6000 and a top speed of 8.6fps for JPG bursts. On back, you'll find a 3.31-inch, 768 dot AMOLED touch-display, and a d-pad-esque section with five buttons for manual control. Lastly, there's a dedicated mode dial on the top, along with a full-size hot shoe mount. This shooter is also WiFi-enabled like previous cameras in the range, allowing you to share content wirelessly, and giving you access to apps like a remote viewfinder that works with iOS and Android devices. Notably, the NX300 packs a hybrid phase / contrast-detection sensor or peppy auto-focusing as well. Having a new NX that can handle 3D naturally calls for a lens that can shoot it, and a 2D/3D-capable f/1.8 45mm lens was also shown to us -- a "world-first," according to Sammy. While you won't be able to shoot in 3D with older NX cameras (we're told they don't have the processing power), it'll still work as regular 2D lens if you're interested in its focal perspective. We spent a few fleeting moments with an engineering sample of the camera in-hand, so join us past the break for more. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Sony rumored to be developing full-frame mirrorless camera, release could come in 2014
This September, Sony disrupted the point-and-shoot market with the announcement of a full-frame compact model -- the $2,800 Cyber-shot RX1. On the same day, the company shared news of its first full-frame HD video camera, the NEX-VG900, representing Sony's third imaging product line to pack the 35mm chip. Now, it looks like the Japanese electronics giant is fast approaching the industry's final frontier, with rumored plans to launch a full-frame mirrorless model in late 2013 or early 2014. Sony Alpha Rumors has reportedly confirmed the news with multiple sources, adding that the TBD model has reached the "final stage of development," and that a 24-megapixel and 30+ MP prototype are currently undergoing testing. The camera is expected to be slightly larger than the NEX-7, and should include a native E-mount, with A-mount lens compatibility (for full-frame shooting) to be offered as well. We've reached out to Sony for confirmation, but, considering that the rumored product is a year or so out, we don't expect a reply. Still, based on the company's recent announcements, a full-frame mirrorless ILC doesn't seem so far-fetched, and we can't think of a better manufacturer to take on such a project than Sony.
Olympus execs: E-5 sequel due in 2013, mates Micro Four Thirds with Four Thirds
Photographers invested in the Four Thirds system haven't had many options lately, most of all if they prefer Olympus camera bodies -- the E-5 arrived in 2010, and hasn't really had company since. Olympus imaging president Haruo Ogawa and the company's Spanish lead, Miquel Angel Garcia (seen above), are both promising interviewers an E-5 sequel by the end of 2013, but it may not be what some expect. Both executives say the camera will support Micro Four Thirds lenses, yet take full advantage of the Four Thirds system. Based on earlier remarks and patents, DSLR Magazine speculates that it's a Micro Four Thirds camera that can mount the larger glass through a converter. Garcia may have hinted as much by telling Quesabesde that the mystery shooter ends a "transition period" that began in 2009: when nearly all of the company's interchangeable lens-based lineup has shifted to Micro Four Thirds over that time, there's only so much room left for interpretation. There's months to wait before we know precisely what's underway, but the clues suggest Olympus may bid farewell to the traditional DSLR within a year's time. [Image credit: Quesabesde]
Sony NEX-6 review: it's the whole package, for just shy of a grand
Sony had a lot to show off just before we hopped aboard a flight to Photokina. The A99 was a lightweight bargain of a full-frame DSLR, the Cyber-shot RX1 was the most powerful compact we'd ever seen and the 16.1-megapixel NEX-6 was one of the finest mirrorless models of the year -- in other words, this is a camera manufacturer that's doing it right, with a wide range of high-end products that would make any tech giant proud. We won't dwell on the firm's troubling financial misfortunes, but based on the company's recent success in the digital imaging space, Sony absolutely needs to remain afloat -- the interchangeable-lens camera market simply wouldn't be the same without it. For now, we'll focus on the NEX-6. You can snag this compact body for $850 without the lens, but you're probably gonna want to splurge for the kit. At just under $1,000, the 16-50mm power zoom lens duo is clearly Sony's premium 2012 entrant. It's the first such model to pack a brand-new collapsible optic -- it's not the speediest lens, by a long shot, but it is convenient, and versatile. Sony's standard 18-55mm lens is famously oversized in contrast to the relatively thin profile of nearly every NEX model. It's fairly hefty, suffers from significant barrel distortion and is prone to netting nicks and scratches. With the NEX-6, that aging version's been retired -- at least temporarily, considering that it may pop up with lower-end models next year. This is also the first Sony mirrorless to feature a dedicated mode dial, and you'll get the NEX-7's OLED EVF, along with a built-in flash and a full-size hot shoe. All this in a body that's marginally larger than the NEX-F3. The 6 is clearly a miniature powerhouse, but is it destined to become yours? Find our take after the break.
Engadget Giveaway: win a Sony NEX-5R, courtesy of Movile!
Whether you're a photography novice or full of top-notch skills, chances are you'd have a hard time saying no to a mirrorless camera. Thanks to our friends at Movile, you'll be given that chance: the company's handing out a 16.1MP Sony NEX-5R (worth $750) to a lucky reader! Movile provides mobile services for smartphones as well as micropayments and HTML5 support on mobile, but today it's getting the word out about PhotoFun, a free app in the iOS App Store. PhotoFun gives you the ability to add custom frames or shapes around your images, throw in captions and share them on Facebook, Twitter or email. After you enter the giveaway by leaving a comment, click the link above to check out the app. Good luck! Winner: Congratulations to Vladamir C. of Centerville, UT for being the lucky recipient of the NEX-5R!
CSR outs new Coach16 processor for high-end cameras, aims to kill video jaggies, noise
If you've ever cussed out your DSLR because your still shots or video had excessive aliasing, jello and noise, you might be happy to hear about the new Coach16 imaging chip from CSR. The new addition to the ex-Zoran line of imaging processors is aimed at DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, and for the cinema set brings 1080/60p HD video with 'super-resolution' RGB downscaling to eliminate aliasing caused by line-skipping. Still shooters would get "endless sustained burst" high frame-rate capability, multi-frame noise reduction for improved low-light shooting, USB 3.0 support, high resolution EVF capability and smart flash. The latter feature cleverly takes two pictures rapidly with and without a flash, then marries the best parts HDR style for the final image. We won't see any of that until it gets released in a new DSLR model, of course, but meanwhile, you can dream with the PR below the break.
Nikon nudges Q2 net earnings to $203 million, DSLRs and Nikon 1 get all the credit
Nikon might be treading water in Q2 2013 (its fiscal year is time-shifted) with a slight gain to $203 million from Q1, but in the current imaging market climate, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Revenue fell $200 million to $3 billion for the period, which Nikon chalked up to a "sluggish" economy and poor performance in its business, chip and science divisions, along with a rapidly shrinking compact camera market (smartphones, anyone?). Fortunately, the company fared better in the interchangeable lens game, singling out the Nikon 1 mirrorless brand as a "solid performer" as well as its popular DSLR line. Nikon predicts more of the same for the rest of the year, with interchangeable lens camera sales growing while other divisions waffle, resulting in a $750 million profit for the year -- a mirror-image of 2012. [Image credit: Wikimedia Commons]
Sony NEX-5R review: focusing and performance improvements make this cam a winner
More Info Sony announces 16.1MP NEX-5R with Fast Hybrid AF, WiFi and downloadable apps Sony Alpha NEX-6 sample shots and video Sony NEX-6 mirrorless cam squeezes in between 5R and 7 with WiFi, EVF and dedicated mode dial By some accounts, Sony botched the NEX-F3. Positioned as the successor to the fantastic C3, it replaced that camera's slim profile with a bulkier build, but sacrificed basic display tilt functionality in favor of a front-facing model. Image quality was fine, but focusing speeds fell short. Fortunately, the company has redeemed itself with the $750 NEX-5R. The mirrorless camera you'll read about today represents everything a successful update should: performance has been improved all around, the touchscreen tilts in every which way and the design has changed only for the better. It's also the first Sony mirrorless cam to feature WiFi, along with the company's new PlayMemories Camera Apps. Wireless connectivity is undoubtedly becoming a popular addition in higher-end models, but that doesn't mean it's a feature users are demanding. With Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Camera, connectivity -- 4G in particular -- makes perfect sense, but how does that web experience transfer to a tiny 3-inch touchscreen? And does it detract from usability overall? Join us past the break for a closer look at this very capable 16.1-megapixel interchangeable lens camera.%Gallery-169758%
Nikon 1 V2 unveiled: 14.2 megapixel ILC shoots 15fps stills for $899.95 in November
It was just over a year ago when Nikon first dipped its toe into mirrorless waters with its first two 1 System cameras, the V1 and J1. Now, the company has released the V1's successor, the aptly named V2. Like its elders, the V2 has a 1200fps slo-mo capture mode, a 3-inch LCD display on the back, a high-res (1.4 million dot) electronic viewfinder, and does 1080/30p and 1080/60i video capture (Alas, 4K recording capability didn't make the cut). Unlike the V1, the V2 comes in only black or white and uses an upgraded 14.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 160-6,400. It also packs a new Expeed 3A image processor in tandem with Nikon's Advance Hybrid AF to deliver higher speed shooting. That autofocus system is comprised of 73 phase detect sensors and 135 contract detect sensors, which enables the V2 to capture stills at up to 15fps for 45 continuous frames -- and it can shoot 60 frames continuously using fixed focus.%Gallery-169057% The camera itself looks quite a bit different from its brethren, with a magnesium chassis, a bulked up grip and a built-in flash, plus command and shooting mode dials up top. It's a layout not unlike Sony's NEX-7, with one dial enabling easy switching between auto and manual exposure modes and a second providing access to secondary shooting controls like exposure compensation. The camera also has a stereo mic on board along with an external mic jack for recording audio. Would-be V2 owners can grab one with a 10-30mm kit lens for $899.95, and Nikon will add 30-110mm glass to that package for $250 more when it goes on sale in late November. Want to know more? Check out our hands-on with the V2 to see the new shooter in action, and Nikon's full PR awaits after the break.
Nikon 1 V2 mirrorless camera hands-on! (video)
If you followed the launch of Nikon's J2 interchangeable-lens compact recently, then waking up to today's announcement of a higher-specced V2 probably won't come as a huge surprise. Nevertheless, whereas the J2 was frustratingly incremental compared to the J1, the V2 will likely represent a more significant upgrade when it lands on shelves at the end of November. For a start, the magnesium alloy camera has been bestowed with a sizable grip, which makes a vast difference to its ergonomics -- it feels much more secure and manageable in the hand, without hurting the small and lightweight appeal of this form factor. Nikon has found room for a pop-up flash too, which is certainly nice to have. The mode dial has moved to the top of the camera and now includes the four main shooting modes (P/S/A/M) -- a change which, in one fell swoop, helps the entire remainder of the control system to become more intuitive and accessible. A new processing engine allows the camera to shoot 15 fps with continuous focus (versus 10 fps with the V1), with Nikon claiming that AF speed has been improved as well. And as for the bad news? It's waiting for you after the break.
Canon EOS M review: was Canon's first mirrorless ILC worth the four-year wait?
More Info Leaked EOS M photo looks like Canon's long-awaited mirrorless camera Canon unveils EOS M mirrorless: 18 MP APS-C, EF compatibility, $800 in October with 22mm lens Canon EOS M mirrorless camera hands-on It's here. Finally. Well, that is, if you happen to live in Japan. Canon's very first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera should be hitting shops the world over just as you begin to make room for that decked-out evergreen conifer, but the EOS M is already making the rounds in Canon's home country. It's available at select Japanese retailers for ¥109,900 (about $1,410, including sales tax). That lofty price will net you the EOS M in black, white or silver (the glossy red model remains elusive), complete with 55mm f/2 and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-M optics, a Speedlite 90EX external flash and the EF-M Lens Adapter, enabling full compatibility with any and all of your EF and EF-S lenses. The US variant, which comes bundled with only the black 22mm "pancake" STM lens, should run you $799 when it appears stateside beginning October 15th, though neither country's model carries a particularly competitive price tag, especially considering how diverse (and well-equipped) the mirrorless ILC market has become. You might argue that Canon is borrowing a play out of Nikon's book when it comes to pricing the EOS M -- had the camera offered full DSLR functionality, including an advanced user interface, a $799 sticker might be justified. But the company has crippled its new compact shooter so as to avoid cannibalizing its still-successful full-size APS-C DSLR lineup, which includes models ranging from the Rebel T3 (about $475) to the EOS 7D (about $1,350). Appropriately, the EOS M falls right in the middle in terms of capabilities, with the added benefit of a new, nearly pocketable design that should win over more than its fair share of amateurs. That said, there's a reason larger SLRs remain on the market, and Canon very much wants to retain that solid footing. The EOS M isn't for everyone, and that's by design. But is it the right pick for you? Join us past the break as we try it on for size.
Aptina unveils 1-inch sensor with 1080p video at 120FPS, we suspect Nikon wants 1
Part suppliers sometimes telegraph their customers' plans months in advance: when you're the only provider for a key piece of technology, it's not hard for others to read the tea leaves. Aptina might have just given us one such peek into the future by unveiling its 1-inch AR1011HS camera sensor this week. As the Nikon 1 series is one of the few current, mainstream camera lines to use Aptina's 1-inch sensors, it's quite possible that we're looking at a template for one or more of Nikon's tiny interchangeable-lens shooters. The 10-megapixel CMOS sensor and low-light sensitivity aren't surprises. We're more interested in the wild levels of video capture support -- the AR1011HS can record 1080p footage at 120 frames per second, oversample movies at that resolution or scale up to quad HD. There's no guarantee any or all of the features will make the cut, especially given a dearth of 4K TVs, but it's not hard to imagine Nikon playing to the 1's high-speed strengths with an even quicker upgrade. Mass production starts in the first quarter of 2013, and while neither Aptina nor Nikon has confirmed any plans, Aptina's emphasis on top-tier companies in the "performance-oriented" mirrorless camera world leaves few other choices for a partnership.
Pentax's Q10 mirrorless shows its tiny sensor to the world, we give it the hands-on treatment (video)
It's tough to express just how much Pentax's new Q10 mirrorless looks like a toy camera until you see it in-person, so unless you're in Cologne this week, you're going to have to take our word for it. It's probably mostly its tiny size -- and the fire engine red probably doesn't help its case much in that respect, either. Still, in spite of its diminutive stature and weight, it does feel like a solid camera. All of these body image issues are thanks to its tiny 12.4 effective megapixel CMOS image sensor. Like its brethren, the Q, this interchangeable lens camera's got a retractable flash, which works whether it's extended or not. On the front, next to the lens, you'll find a knob which lefts you dial through four different effects. The Q10 also does full HD recording, five-fps shooting and, like the K-5 II, boasts improved autofocus over its predecessor. On the back, is a surprisingly large three-inch LCD. When it launches here in Europe next month, it'll run you €499 for a single lens kit and around €300 for the body alone -- compare that to $600 for the kit here in the States.
Hasselblad Lunar mirrorless camera hands-on
The Lunar has landed -- at Photokina, at least. Hasselblad was showing off a slew of different designs for the forthcoming camera -- and while we were told that its still in prototype mode (both from company reps and signage on the device itself), the camera seemed to be in mostly working order. The first thing you'll notice, once you get past the space-age design, is the fact that the camera really does feel like a rebranded Sony NEX device slipped into a new shell, and as such, it takes those Sony e-mount lenses. And on the back, you'll find that similar collapsible display. That said, it really does feel quite nice in the hand -- the device we played with had a leathery grip -- there are a number of carbon fiber and wood options available, as well. All of this is punctuated by a metal top with large metallic knobs, and inside you'll find an APS-C 24.3 megapixel sensor. The Lunar will start at €5,000 when it launches in Q1 of next year. And in case that's not rich enough for your blood, you can tack a "significant" amount onto that by getting the models decked out in pricier materials. Steve Dent contributed to this report.
Hasselblad announces Lunar mirrorless camera, fancies up Sony's NEX-7 for 5,000 euros
The bar's pretty high when your company is behind the first camera in space. Hasselblad's looking to build on that theme with its new Lunar mirrorless, which according to the company "revives the timeless charm" of 1957's 500c -- and if nothing else, the camera's got a curvy, space age body, built out of high grade aluminum with either a carbon fiber (available in black, silver or titanium colors) or wood (beech, olive, pear or mahogany) grip. Inside, you'll get a Bionz processor and an APS-C 24.3 megapixel sensor. The Lunar has a 10 frames per second burst mode, full HD recording and sports a 100 to 16000 ISO range. On the rear, you'll find a swiveling three-inch display. All of that's packed into a body that weighs roughly a pound. Update: While we didn't quite realize it at first, the layout of the camera and its specs are clearly that of a rehashed NEX-7. As SonyAlphaRumors points out, the shooter accepts Sony's e-mount lenses and is part of new partnership between the two photography giants -- looks like we're soon to have even more Sony cameras re-purposed as Hasselblad's, similar to Leica and Panasonic. While the NEX-7 itself will run you roughly $1,100 to 1,200k (body-only vs. with a kit lens), SAR has the Lunar pegged at $5,000 Euro (about $6,530, or six NEX-7s). That's almost $1k more than Leica's utilitarian M-E and about as much as an M9 for, those keeping count -- but hey, at least the lunar can shoot video, right? Joe Pollicino contributed to this post.
Fujifilm X-E1 hands-on (video)
Sure the XF1's nice to look at, but the real star of Fujifilm's 2012 Photokina lineup has to be the X-E1. The X-Pro1's little sibling offers up most of the functionality of its bigger, pricier brother -- save for its inclusion just an electronic viewfinder -- into a body that's roughly a third smaller. That said, this is hardly a compact mirrorless -- the X-E1's still got a bit of girth and weight to it, compared to some of the smaller entries in the field. Still, it feels nice in the hand and isn't likely to weigh down your shooting -- particularly for those accustom to using a larger DSLR. It's also worth pointing out, right off the bat, that the retro-styled interchangeable lens camera is significantly cheaper, running you $700 less than the X-Pro-1. Flip the camera over and you get a 2.8-inch 460k-dot LCD. Just above the display is a devoted button that will pop up the retractable flash directly above. The X-E1 will be hitting stores in November, carrying a $1,000 price tag. Buy a kit with a lens and you'll still come in $300 under the X-Pro1's $1,700 price tag, making for a full-featured and great looking little mirrorless for a lot less money.%Gallery-165702%
Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2 interchangeable lens cameras leak into view
Secrets have been hard to keep in the camera world lately, and now Olympus has undergone its second leak in as many days, but this time with a couple of higher-profile actors -- the E-PL5 and E-PM2 mirrorless cameras. Both will use the Olympus E-M5 sensor with TruePic VI image engine and touchscreen, and are reported to be priced at €399 ($520) for the E-PM2 with a 14-42mm kit lens (in silver, below the break) and €599 ($780) for the E-PL5 with the same lens, shown above. That follows earlier leaks from Sony, Fujifilm and others, along with two upcoming lenses from Olympus that were also outed ahead of time. Hopefully, there'll still be a couple of surprises left when Photokina rolls around next week. [Image credit: Digicam Info]
Sony's NEX-6 satisfies the FCC with paperwork, guts
Still hungry for a closer look at Sony's WiFi-packing NEX-6 despite perusing our hands-on? Apparently the FCC feels the same, so it's used its government-granted authority to inspect the camera first-hand, and tear it apart in the process. This isn't the only time the 16.1-megapixel shooter has been given the ruler treatment, but a full copy of its user's manual has notably come along for its US visit. Check out the gallery below to view this NEX's guts, or hit the source link to gloss over a PDF of the instruction manual -- might as well get the boring stuff done before the package arrives in November.%Gallery-165226%
Fujifilm grows X-series mirrorless lineup with 16.3-megapixel X-E1
Didn't jump at the chance to own a Fujifilm X-Pro1? Considering the camera's relatively massive footprint and $1,700 body-only price tag, we can hardly blame you. Fortunately, things are looking up for the company's high-end X-series of mirrorless cameras --- a new model just stepped into town. The X-E1 features the same 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor as the much pricier X-Pro1, but in a body that's 30 percent smaller. Better yet, this latest flavor, which will ship in two-tone black and silver or solid black "classic designs," will carry a body-only retail price of $1,000. A cool grand will buy you an interchangeable lens camera with a sensor that, according to Fujifilm, is "capable of delivering resolution that is superior to other APS-C sensors, and equal to even some full frame sensors found in popular DSLR cameras." (Sayonara, Canon EOS-1D X.) Like its larger sibling, the X-E1 ditches the low-pass filter typically found in DSLRs in favor of a color filter array, which serves to minimize moire while yielding more accurate colors. A 2.36-million-dot OLED EVF is included for eye-level framing, or you can use the 2.8-inch 460k-dot LCD. The camera boasts a sensitivity range of ISO 100-25,600, packs a pop-up flash, it can capture 1080/24p video and includes a microphone input so you can add external audio sources. The camera is compatible with M lenses using an optional M Mount Adapter, or you can take advantage of Fujifilm's current selection of three X-mount primes. There will also be two new lenses launching alongside the X-E1 in November, including an XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 and a 14mm f/2.8 prime, priced at $900 and $700, respectively -- you can save $500 by snagging that first lens in a kit with the camera for $1,400. Head past the break for the full PR.%Gallery-164351%
