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ICYMI: Check out ASUS’ new dual-screen laptop in action
Here's a roundup of the tech reviews on Engadget this week, including the ASUS Zenbook Duo laptop.
8310083100Nikon Z7 II review: A solid upgrade that lags behind its rivals
Nikon’s Z7 II brings some attractive new features over the original Z7, but it can't match rival cameras from Sony and Canon.
This week's best deals: AirPods for only $100, plus more early Black Friday sales
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy have already kicked off the first rounds of their big sale events, and there will be more to come in the lead-up to Black Friday. This week, we saw AirPods drop to a new all-time low; a great price for Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3; and a bunch of worthwhile deals at Walmart for Instant Pots, robot vacuums and more. Now’s the time to grab Apple’s classic AirPods for someone on your list, or for yourself.
Nikon will let you use its cameras as high-end webcams
The Webcam Utility Software is available in beta for both Windows 10 and macOS.
Nikon's Z6 II and Z7 II flagships feature dual card slots and 4K 60p video
Nikon has unveiled the 24-megapixel Z6 II and 45.6-megapixel Z7 II full-frame mirrorless flagship cameras with similar bodies to the originals, but some much-needed improvements under the hood.
Nikon's full-frame Z5 camera offers in-body stabilization for $1,400
Nikon has revealed a new member of its full-frame Z mount family, the entry-level Z5. Unlike the Z6 and Z7, video is a weak point with this camera as Nikon appears to be focusing mostly on photographers.
How to use your high-end camera as a webcam
If you're thinking of buying a webcam, here’s an option you may not have thought of. If you happen to have a DSLR, mirrorless or compact camera, you may be able to put it into service as a high-quality webcam. In some cases, particularly with select Canon, Nikon and Sony models on Windows, you might not even need any extra hardware at all.
Nikon is streaming online photography courses for free this month
You might not be able to go out and shoot photos because of the coronavirus lockdown, but at least you can buff up your skills. Nikon USA is offering 10 classes from the its online school for free during the month of April. "Nikon's mission has always been to empower creators," the company wrote. "In these uncertain times, we can do that by helping creators stay inspired, engaged and growing."
How to buy a compact camera in 2020
If you want better photos than a smartphone can deliver but also don't want a bulky DSLR or mirrorless camera, you may need a compact camera in your life. Good models have much bigger sensors, optics and image processors than your phone, so the photos you take are going to be sharper and richer. Once you get the hang of your camera, it'll be much easier to use, too, becoming an extension of your hands and eyes. The question, though, is which one do you need? There is a wide variety of models out there with different sized sensors, fixed, zoom and superzoom lenses and lots of manual controls (or not). So, choosing a compact camera is a very personal decision based on your needs, skill level and other factors, and that's where we come in. In this guide, we're going to lay out the different features available on each brand and model to help you choose just the right one.
Samsung unveils its latest 4K and 8K QLED TVs for the US
Samsung's 4K and 8K TV launch is one of the more controversial in years, because Samsung appears to be saving high-end features for the much more costly 8K models. We first saw signs of it in January at CES 2020, when Samsung failed to show off any mainstream 4K sets, while displaying a plethora of 8K models. The company has now effectively confirmed that situation with the US launch of its new lineup.
How to buy a mirrorless camera lens in 2020
If you've decided to take the plunge and buy a new mirrorless camera, possibly ditching your DSLR, you now have another decision: What lenses do you need? That decision could have a large impact on how your photos or videos look and what kind of shooting you can do. And this is no simple decision. You have to consider sharpness, distortion, speed, prime or zoom and, most important, price. In this guide, I'll touch on all that and look at some of the best lenses for Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras.
Samsung is already working to fix the Galaxy S20 cameras
Samsung's Galaxy S20 is not even on the market yet, but reviewers from publications including PC Mag have already experienced bugs with the cameras. Samsung has now responded, saying that it's working on a fix. "The Galaxy S20 features a groundbreaking, advanced camera system," Samsung told The Verge. "We are constantly working to optimize performance to deliver the best experience for consumers. As part of this ongoing effort, we are working on a future update to improve the camera experience."
How to buy a mirrorless camera in 2020
Two crucial things happened in the camera world in 2019: mirrorless cameras took over from DSLRs and the industry as a whole had its worst year in a decade. So what does that mean for you, the potential camera buyer? Manufacturers are pulling out all the stops to lure you away from your smartphone, so a lot of great new mirrorless cameras have come out in the last year. And, as Canon just announced, more exciting models are on the way.
Nikon's D6 flagship DSLR camera arrives in April for $6,500
Nikon has officially unveiled its professional D6 DSLR and revealed the price and release date, after first teasing the camera in September. As expected, the emphasis is on speed and autofocus accuracy, though it falls short of its primary rival, Canon's 1DX Mark III, in terms of video.
Nikon's Coolpix P950 has an improved EVF, 4K and 83x zoom power
Nikon has unveiled the Coolpix P950, a refresh of its popular P900 superzoom. While it doesn't quite have the incredible 3,000mm equivalent reach of the P1000, it nevertheless delivers 83x zoom power equal to 2,000mm on 35mm cameras. That's enough to capture a jet plane crossing the moon or the gleam in a bird's eye for a long distance away.
Nikon's D780 is its most serious DSLR for video yet
Nikon's D780 DSLR has finally arrived, and it's bringing a lot of the tech from its Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras. That includes things like full pixel readout 4K with 10-bit external output and face- and eye-tracking autofocus. In fact, even though it has a mirror, you can think of it partially as the DSLR equivalent to Nikon's full-frame Z6 mirrorless camera.
Nikon Z50 review: A great handling camera with a mediocre sensor
Today's camera landscape is ultra-competitive and not terribly lucrative, so it takes a lot of guts to launch a new system. Nikon has done that (again) with the 20.9-megapixel Z50, its first ever APS-C mirrorless camera. Unlike rival Canon, Nikon decided to use the same Z mount lens system for both its full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras, a decision that has been surprisingly controversial. Nikon doesn't have the luxury of slowly perfecting its mirrorless lineup like Sony did five or six years ago. The market is mature now and the Z50 is going up against formidable models in its price range, including Sony's A6400, the Canon M6 Mark II and Fujifilm's X-T30. In an early hands-on look, I was impressed by the Z50's ergonomics and its petite size. Now, let's see how it stacks up against the competition in the crucial areas of autofocus, image quality and 4K video features.
Nikon Z6 and Z7 owners can now pay $200 to add RAW video capture
It took a while, but Nikon has finally delivered 12-bit external RAW video recording for its Z6 and Z7 full-frame mirrorless cameras, along with new storage options. Starting today, owners will be able to bring those cameras into any authorized Nikon service center and pay $200 to get the upgrade. After that, they'll be able to record 12-bit RAW video via the HDMI connector to select Atomos video recorders.
Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair program
Nikon plans to kill its authorized US repair program in March 2020 by cutting off access to official parts, tools, software and manuals to 15 official repair shops, iFixit has reported. The move will force owners to send busted cameras to just two Nikon-operated repair centers in the US, significantly delaying repairs. Nikon made the move in the wake of a steep decline in profits as smartphones continue to decimate camera sales across the industry.
The best cameras, accessories and bags to give as gifts
For a creator with ambition, a smartphone alone probably won't cut it. If you have a decent budget, their talent for street photography, cinema or portraits will be better served by a mirrorless or DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses. Luckily, we're in a golden age of excellent cameras that can handle a lot of different jobs. We found six choice models hitting all the budget categories, ranging from $500 to $1,700, to help you find just the right camera. If your giftee is into filmmaking or street photography, Fujifilm's X-T30 mirrorless camera is one the best all-around options, while Canon's M6 Mark II is a speed and resolution champ. For more budget-minded shoppers, Nikon's D3500 is ideal for DSLR purists, while Sony's A6100 is packed with the latest tech. And for filmmakers or portrait artists, take a look at Nikon's Z 6 or the Sony A6500. Of course, the photographer in your life might be very happy with the camera they already own. In those cases, we've got a selection of accessories, from bags to gimbals, picked by our staff. (There's even a phone accessory, if they're really married to shooting with their smartphone.)
