Articles
Final call: Our World Underwater 2015
This is your last chance to enter the 2015 Our World Underwater Contest. The competition is viewed as being one of the most prestigious in the world and offers over $50,000 in prizes. The deadline is Saturday 7 February at 11.59 PST, so if you haven’t entered yet, now is the time to do so!
Canon announces 11-24mm f4 wide-angle lens
Canon has released details of their new EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom Lens. Billed as having the widest angle of view of any rectilinear full-frame lens, the L series lens has 16 elements in 11 groups. However, the minimum focus distance of 11 inches may present some optical challenges with conventional dome ports.
Canon announces the EOS 5DS SLR cameras
As widely rumored, Canon has announced the EOS 5DS and RDS R SLR cameras. Both feature a new 50.6 megapixel full-frame image sensor and Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors, with the 5DS R not having a low pass filter. AF is provided by a “61-Point High Density Reticular AF array” including up to 41 cross-type AF points and the EOS Scene recognition system. Native ISO range is 100 to 6400 and HD video is 1080p at up to 30p.
Samsung unveils the NX500 4K compact camera
Samsung has announced the NX500 compact camera. This offers 28MP still images and 4K video recording at 24fps (UHD at 30fps) and uses an “Back Side Illumination” APS-C sized sensor offering native ISO from 100 to 25600. It has the DRIMeV processor, offering 9fps continuous shooting.
GoPro releases firmware updates
GoPro has released two new firmware updates for their HERO4 Black and Silver models. Version 02.00.00 adds a time-lapse video mode; a burst photo capture rate of 30 frames in six seconds; auto rotate mode; and HiLight Tags, which allows a user to mark key moments. HERO4 Black version cameras also get two new frame rates: 720p/240 fps and 2.7K at 60 fps.
Olympus are developing an 8mm f1.8 fisheye lens
Olympus has announced that they are developing an 8mm f1.8 fisheye lens for their micro 4/3 system cameras. It will offer the equivalent to a 16mm FOV on a 35mmm camera and the company is developing a lens port that will allow it top be used with the new OM-D E-M5 Mark II and its associated PT-EP13 housing.
Olympus announces OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Olympus has announced the OM-D E-M5 Mark II mirrorless micro 4/3 camera. It features a redesigned 16 megapixel sensor with a 40 megapixel “high-resolution shot mode” that captures 8 images simultaneously and blends them together in camera. It has 5 axis stabilization and can shoot 1080 HD video at 60fps.
CIPA publishes report into camera sales figures
The Japanese Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) publishes an annual report of camera sales world wide and have just released the 2014 numbers. Of a total of 43 million units, SLR bodies accounted for 10.55 million (13.8 million in 2013) and mirrorless cameras 3.2 million (3.39 in 2013). The sales of compact cameras continues to fall rapidly, with shipments of 29 million units in 2014.