Nikon has announced the release of the 1 system EVIL camera range. Two new cameras, the J1 and V1, four new lenses and a speedlight make a new range within the Nikon family. Specifications on the new camera include a CX-format, 10.1 megapixel High-Speed AF CMOS, ISO range from 100-3200, a new EXPEED 3 image processing engine and HD movies at 1080p with frame rate control (30, 60, 400 and 1200fps). The new autofocus system in the cameras has 73 focus points and is claimed to be the world’s fastest. The J1 is being aimed at a more general consumer who “who use a camera as part of their connected lifestyle”. The V1 has a magnesium alloy body, mechanical shutter and an enhanced EVF screen.

The new lenses announced today include a 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 zoom, a 10mm f2.8 pancake, a 20-110mm f3.8 zoom and a power zoom; the 10-100mm f4.5.

The new products will be available from 20 October. The J1 will retail at $649.95 with the 10-30mm, the V1 at $899.95 with the same lens.

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Full results and video from the recent Monterey Shootout, hosted by NCUPS, has been published on the event’s website. The competition attracted 70 entrants, whilst the accompanying film festival drew a crowd of 800. Speakers at the event include Stephen Frink and Wetpixel Publisher Eric Cheng (who is the subject of a prank involving barbecue skewers!) The film festival also featured Stephen and Eric, along with Rick Rosenthal, Chuck Davis, and Berkley White.

Many congratulations to all the winners in the event’s competitions.

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Canon has announced that it has produced a CMOS sensor with a surface area of 202mm (7.95”) x 205mm (8.07”). The device is approximately 40 times the size of Canon’s largest commercial CMOS sensor and makes possible video recording in very dark conditions. It was installed on the focal plane of the Kiso Astronomical Observatory’s Schmidt telescope and used to record video at approximately 60 frames per second, resulting in the groundbreaking video recording of faint meteors. Canon will use the technology that it has used to develop this sensor in consumer products.

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Welcome to the third in the Wetpixel Rinse Tank series. Wetpixel Associate Editor, Alex Mustard gives a round-up of his recent and on-going trips to the Maldives, Canada and Indonesia. Featured are some thoughts on strobes and syncing methods, particularly with older strobes, Subal buttons and macro set-ups.

The Rinse Tank features different Wetpixel staff writing in rotation, each writing about current projects and equipment related issues.

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Canon has announced the release of a successor to the popular S95 compact camera. The S100 shares many features with its predecessor, but features a new and upgraded image processing engine, called DIGIC 5, which claims faster processing speed and higher quality. The new camera has a 24mm lens and full HD video at 1080p as well as full manual control, shooting RAW + JPEG, ISO settings from 80-6400 and an integrated GPS. Canon has simultaneously announced the release of a polycarbonate housing for the new camera called the WP-DC43.

The camera will be available from November 2011 at a price of $429. The WP-DC43 housing availability and price are to be announced.

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