July 2015 news and reviews

Olympus' TG-series Tough cameras have been a popular choice among enthusiasts looking for a rugged compact. The TG-4 is waterproof to 15m/50ft, as well as shockproof and crushproof, and includes Raw support. See how it performs out and about and in our studio compared to other rugged compacts. Read more

Lens maker Zeiss has written a blog post about its relationships with other manufacturers - specifically its partnership with Sony. The post sheds some light on exactly what that little blue logo on your lens can mean. The blog post itself appears to have been written by the marketing department, but reading between the lines gives us a better idea of how its relationship with Sony works. Read more

Canon has introduced its ME20F-SH multi-purpose camera - a black cube with an EF mount and the ability to capture video in near-darkness. With the ability to capture Full HD color video in light levels as low as 0.0005 lux and a top ISO of over 4 million, the ME20F-SH is well suited for surveillance and security as well as wildlife applications. Learn more

LumoPro has announced the LP742 LightSwitch Speedlight Case and Modifier. The case is made from padded ballistic nylon and is able to accommodate most speedlights on the market. LightSwitch can also be transformed into three types of light modifiers: a reflector, bounce card, and flag. The case features a double-zipper design and a velcro strap on the back. Read more

Chip makers Micron and Intel have announced a new form of computer memory that promises faster, more reliable storage than current technologies, in a smaller space and at similar prices. The technology could reduce the distinction between memory and storage within computers and provide a faster, more stable way of storing large Raw and video files. Read more

It's a sad day for owners of Adobe's Creative Suite 6, as the company announces its upcoming Camera Raw 9.1.1 update will be the final version available for the software. Read more

DxOMark has put Motorola's brand new Moto X Style to the test. With a 1/2.3" 21MP BSI CMOS sensor, F2.0 lens and dual-LED flash it's no slouch in the camera department. See where it lands in DxOMark's mobile rankings. Read more

The Moto X Style is Motorola's brand new flagship smartphone and replaces the 2014 edition of the Moto X, using a 1/2.3" 21MP BSI CMOS sensor and F2.0 lens. We've had a chance to try the new model before launch, and we took it out to capture a range of sample shots in varying light conditions. Read more

Nikon's AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F2.8-4E ED VR is intended as a high-quality everyday lens with the company's APS-C format DSLRs. Offering an equivalent focal length range of 24-120mm, the 16-80mm features optical VR stabilization and an electronic aperture diaphragm. We spent the weekend shooting with the lens in and around Seattle, attached to a Nikon D7200. Check out our gallery of sample images

We've been shooting with the Canon PowerShot G3 X for a few days now. Canon's latest high-end compact offers a 20MP sensor and 24-600mm equivalent zoom lens, with a touch-sensitive LCD screen and optional EVF. The G3 X occupies something of a niche in the long-zoom category, offering a longer lens than its 1-inch sensor competitors but without some of the extras, like a built-in viewfinder and 4K video. What's it like to use? Read our overview to find out. 

Bag manufacturer Case Logic has launched a new backpack that features a hammock system, suspending a DSLR with lens attached within the space in the middle of the bag. The company claims this adds extra protection as less of the camera body is in direct contact with the structure of the bag. Read more

Caldwell Photographic and Metabones have announced the Speed Booster Ultra for Micro Four Thirds: an updated design that uses more sophisticated glass and has been optimized for use with the relatively thick Micro Four Thirds filter stack. The latest Canon version also gains AF-S autofocus when used with Panasonic cameras: an improvement available via firmware update for existing users. Read more

Photographer Brian Rueb was approached by two friends to shoot their wedding - a familiar proposal for many photographers. However, there was a slightly unusual twist in this case, as the couple planned to tie the knot on top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Read more

The Panasonic Center in Osaka has installed a photo booth that uses 120 Lumix DMC-GH4 cameras to create a three-dimensional impression of the occupants, which can then be turned into a plaster figurine. Panasonic claims that what makes its booth stand out is that the 'scan' is created in just 1/1000sec. That means the subjects can be in motion and the image will still be sharp. Read more

The Associated Press and British Movietone have announced the addition of more than 1 million minutes of digitized historic footage to YouTube. The AP says that this project represents the largest ever upload of historic news content to YouTube, and will serve as a 'visual encyclopedia' for witnessing some of the biggest moments in recent world history. Read more

We've already published an initial real-world gallery from the PowerShot G3 X, Canon's newest enthusiast compact, and now we've put its capabilities to the test against our studio scene. The G3 X is weather-sealed and uses a 1"-type 20MP sensor with a 24-600mm equiv. lens, making it an appealing choice for outdoorsy types. Take a look at how it performs compared to its peers. Read more

Update: We've added a number of Raw conversions to our gallery. The PowerShot G3 X is Canon's newest premium compact camera, offering a versatile 24-600mm equivalent zoom lens and a 1"-type 20MP sensor. DPReview Editor Barney took the G3 X out on a weekend fishing trip deep in the Olympic mountains. Take a look at our real-world gallery. Read more

LensRentals has embarked on a quest to investigate the complicated topic of sample variation among copies of the same lens. It's the kind of fascinating, geeky stuff we've come to know and love from LensRentals, and in the latest round of tests they've taken a look at a group of short telephoto primes ranging from 85mm to 150mm. Read more

Following several weeks of controversy involving pop singer Taylor Swift and a growing number of music photographers and news publications, Swift's management has revised the terms of its photo contract. Read more

There's been a great deal of interest in the Sigma 24-35mm F2 Art lens since its launch last month. And who can blame the internet for getting excited over the world's fastest full-frame zoom? With all of the appeal and high-end touches offered by Sigma's 'Art' series, the 24-35mm just begs to be taken out for a spin - and DPReview's Deputy Editor Rishi Sanyal did just that. See the gallery

Nikon's D810A is an astrophotography-oriented version of the D810. It's the first full-frame camera dedicated to astrophotography, and is better able to capture the hydrogen alpha spectral line. It also expands long exposure options, and has garnered speculation as to improvements in low light capabilities. Take a look at its high ISO and color performance in our studio scene. Read more

Over the last week or so, images from the New Horizons mission have been arriving back at Earth as the probe begins the 16-month task of returning data from its July 14th Pluto flyby. Take a look at the imaging systems responsible for the impressive photos of the dwarf planet. Read more

Samsung has launched a new generation of high-end Android tablets, a clear competitor to Apple's iPad Air 2. The Galaxy Tab S2 comes 8 and 9.7 inch display sizes, and at 5.6mm is a touch thinner than the Apple competitor. Read more

Canon's EOS 5DS may not have its more expensive sibling's self-canceling optical low-pass filter, but it's identical in all other ways starting with a 50.2MP full-frame sensor. We put its high resolution sensor and 61-point AF module to the test for some real-world shooting - take a look. See gallery

Capture One Pro is a software package designed to perform as a Raw processing application as well as a host for those who like to shoot tethered. Created by Phase One, which also makes medium format backs, cameras and lenses, the application emerged first in the professional studio environment. Having expanded into the consumer market, it can handle Raw files from over 300 cameras. We tested out some of its newer capabilities. Read more

The LG G4 follows on last year's G3, and like its predecessor puts a lot of emphasis on camera specification. The 16MP 1/2.6-inch CMOS sensor is a touch larger than the 1/3-inch sensors in many other phones, and the F1.8 aperture is the fastest among the current crop of high-end mobile devices. We put its mobile imaging capabilities to the test. Read more

We got a chance to get our hands on Panasonic's Lumix DMC-GX8 recently, and have prepared a slideshow running through its features. It's the first Micro Four Thirds camera to gain a 20MP sensor and it wraps a whole host of cleverness, including a Dual IS system, into its substantial magnesium alloy body. Read more

With its 25-600mm equivalent F2.8 lens and solid image quality, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 was one of our favorite cameras in 2012. With its FZ300, Panasonic has kept the lens and sensor but has improved just about everything else, from its image processor to video specs. We recently had some hands-on time with the FZ300 and have plenty of highlights to share. Read more

Panasonic has unveiled the Lumix DMC-GX8 and with it some new advancements for the Micro Four Thirds format. For the first time, a MFT body offers a 20.3MP sensor. AF sees some notable improvements thanks to Depth from Defocus technology, a new Dual I.S. system uses stabilization from the lens and camera body simultaneously, and 4K video is included. Read more

Panasonic has announced the Lumix FZ300, a 24x superzoom equipped with 4K video that's designed to withstand a little bit of bad weather. It's the successor to the FZ200, and keeps the 25-600mm equivalent F2.8 zoom range. Read more

Alongside two camera announcements, Panasonic has gone public with plans for a new post-focus feature for selected cameras and two new lenses. Enabled by 4K video capture and its DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology, Post Focus will allow users to select a focus point after capture. New lenses on the way include a Leica DG 100-400mm F4-6.3 zoom and Lumix G 25mm F1.7 prime. Read more

Red has launched firmware version 6.0.23 for its cameras, a significant update over previous version 5.3.42 that brings some useful features for still photography. Included is a Motion + Stills mode that makes it possible to mark frames for still extraction while recording video. Read more

ZTE has launched its new high-end device, the Axon Pro, which appears to be specifically designed with the US market in mind. In the camera department the new model comes with a dual-camera setup, similar to the one we've seen in the HTC One (M8). However, at 13MP the ZTE's main camera comes with a considerably higher pixel count than the 4MP HTC. Read more

Our Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV first impressions continues to grow as we've added a variety of video samples to the preview. The RX100 IV is Sony's latest enthusiast compact, and its 20MP 1"-type stacked CMOS sensor is capable of 4K video and slow-motion clips ranging from 120-960 fps, all with virtually no rolling shutter. We put a number of these modes to the test. Read more

The Pixelmator app for iPad and iPhone has received another update, ensuring it remains one of the most powerful mobile image editing tools in the App Store. Introduced in version 2.0.2 is Dynamic Touch, which automatically adjusts the brush to the surface area of your finger that's touching the screen. Read more

Filter manufacturer Cokin has introduced a new range of neutral density filters that it claims are free of color casts and which block infrared light. The Nuances range comes in sizes to fit the company's Creative Filter System holders, from M (P) to XL (X-Pro), and in six different strengths. Read more

In an ongoing trend of protests against strict photo contracts for music photographers, Quebec newspaper le Soleil sent a cartoonist to illustrate a Foo Fighters concert. The publication called the contract one of the harshest it had seen, citing passages that require photographers to surrender copyrights to their images, giving the band the ability to use images in any media without permission or payment. Read more

A part of the ongoing expansion of manual focus lenses for the Micro Four Thirds system, the Voigtländer 10.5mm F0.95 super wide angle is also that company's fourth F0.95 Nokton in its MFT series. DPReview Senior Contributor Damien Demolder took the lens out for a spin. Take a look at some samples and find out his impressions. Read more

Microsoft has retired its Photosynth apps for Windows Phone and iOS. The apps allow mobile users to create spherical panoramas. Microsoft is directing users instead to its new web-based Photosynth technical preview, which it calls a more immersive and robust platform. Read more

The fourth iteration of Sony's Cyber-shot RX100 series brings a host of high-speed features from super slow-mo movies to 4K video with virtually no rolling shutter. It all stems from the RX100 IV's 20MP stacked CMOS sensor and the additional room for high speed circuitry that the design allows. Our full review is well under way; for now take a look at the first installment. Read more

Not long ago, you made your stand as a 'serious' amateur photographer by using a medium format camera. Compacts and SLRs existed of course, but the graduation from 35mm film to 120 or 220 formats meant that you had really made it. These days, digital medium format cameras occupy a niche in the market, but the allure is still there. Damien Demolder spends a little time with Phase One's 645DF+ and IZ250 back - see how they get along. Read more

Lytro has introduced major updates for its ILLUM light field camera and desktop software. ILLUM 2.0 provides a re-designed user interface and makes it possible to view and interact with full living pictures in camera. It also speeds up auto focus by using phase detection rather than relying on contrast detection. Read more

Ricoh is addressing an anomaly found on a small group of its Pentax K-3 II digital SLRs in which the camera will not turn off, even when the power lever is in the 'off' position. Ricoh will service any K-3 II within a specific range of serial numbers at no charge, regardless of whether the camera is having the issue. Read more

'Bullet time' effects, as seen in the 1999 movie 'The Matrix,' tend to be expensive and time-consuming to produce, requiring an array of synchronized cameras. Researchers at Columbia University are developing an iOS app that would make it easier for consumers to capture bullet time sequences. Read more

In February, Serif launched a beta version of its image editing application Affinity Photo. The software is a Photoshop alternative designed specifically for Mac OS X, and the beta has been updated several times since the February launch. Serif has just taken the software out of beta and officially launched it in the Mac App Store. Read more

To mark 20 years since it opened its (virtual) doors, Amazon is planning a 'Prime Day' next week, on July 15th. Billed as a 'global shopping event', Prime Day will feature more deals than Black Friday for Prime members, including more than 60 deals from top camera brands. Click through for more details

DxOMark published its report on the 50MP sensor in the Canon's EOS 5DS and 5DS R. They're the best-performing Canon sensors to date, offering massive resolution along along with small dynamic range improvements. Do the cameras raise the bar relative to competitors though? Our technical editor Rishi does a thorough analysis, using DxO's data to pit the 5DS against the Nikon D810. Click through for more

A vast majority of Members of the European Parliament have voted to remove wording from a current copyright reform proposal that may have caused a lot of trouble for photographers. The proposal would have required photographers who would create or use images that feature buildings or public artwork under copyright to obtain permission to do so. Read more

Panasonic USA has issued a statement in response to concerns on the DPReview.com forum about Lumix G7 serial numbers rubbing off. The statement aims to reassure customers, pointing out that the problem does not indicate that the cameras are not genuine and confirming that camera warranties are still valid, so long as you retain proof of purchase and the label from the camera box that states the serial number. Read more

Canon has introduced a new printer that can print images directly from Instagram and other social networks. The PIXMA MG3620 Wireless Inkjet all-in-one printer works with the Canon PRINT app for iOS and Android to both access and print from Instagram accounts, as well as other online services like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, OneDrive, Evernote, Google Drive, Photobucket, and Dropbox. Read more

Just three weeks after Ricoh announced its GR II enthusiast compact, the company has dropped the MSRP by $100, from $799 to $699. While we don’t know why Ricoh has dropped the price, it is arguable that the minor differences between the GR II and its predecessor didn’t justify the original $200 price difference. Read more

Tangerine, a feature film by Sean Baker, is headed for theaters on July 10th. It was shot entirely on the iPhone 5, keeping the overall budget of the film under $100,000, and the production utilized anamorphic adapter prototypes for shooting. Read more

What's more fun than fireworks on the Fourth of July? Fireworks at 960 fps. We grabbed a few slow-motion clips recently with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV to test out its slow-mo video modes. Take a look at three 960 fps videos and a bonus clip at 240 fps - still pretty neat in our book. See videos

Canon has introduced its 430EX III-RT midrange Speedlite. This is the company's second flash to support radio-based wireless TTL, which offers longer ranges, more flexible positioning, and no line-of-sight requirement like traditional optical wireless flash systems. The 430EX III-RT is also faster, lighter and features refined rear controls, more custom settings, and a built-in catchlight panel. Read more

We first became acquainted with Adam Woodworth when we featured his portfolio earlier this year. His photos capture the interplay between the earthly and the celestial, often framing the center of the Milky Way Galaxy in alignment with landscape formations. Recently, he's been trying out Nikon's D810A, the world's first full frame camera dedicated to astrophotography. See some of his photos and find out his impressions on using it. Read more

We've just added some more images to our Canon EOS 5DS R sample gallery. While we're working through our extensive Canon lens catalog, for this update we stuck to telephoto and portrait lenses. Check out the gallery for some portraits (including samples from the Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4) and vintage race car shots. See gallery

GoPro has introduced the HERO4 Session, a cube-shaped waterproof camera that is half the size of and 40% lighter than its other HERO4 cameras. The HERO4 Session is waterproof to a depth of 33ft/10m without requiring a separate housing and features one-button operation. Read more

After its recent app update it seems Instagram has further improvements up its sleeve - the mobile image sharing platform has started storing higher resolution images on its servers. In the app and on the web interface images are still displayed at the smaller 640 x 640 pixel size, but a look at the website source code reveals that images are now actually stored at 1080 x 1080 pixels. Read more

Panasonic's newest DSLR-styled mirrorless camera is the Panasonic Lumix G7, offering a 16MP Four Thirds sensor capable of 4K video recording. It boasts an improved autofocus system, 2.36 million-dot EVF and a fully articulated 3" 1.04 million-dot touch-sensitive LCD. It's a strong feature set on paper, but how does it perform in real-world and studio testing? Read more

The Sony Cyber-shot HX90 has the kind of specs that should appeal to a travel photographer looking for something compact. It packs a 30x optical zoom covering a 24-720mm equiv. range and offers an 18.2MP BSI CMOS sensor. With Wi-Fi and GPS built in, it's road-ready. DPReview Editor Barnaby Britton has been carrying it around for a while - check out our sample gallery to see how it performs. See gallery

Mobile accessory maker Moment has added a new lens to its lineup. The Moment Macro lens offers a 25mm focal length and 10x magnification, using a multi-element design and ED-glass for improved image quality. Read more

Canon made an announcement this week warning of counterfeit 600EX-RT flash units being sold as the real deal. Equally as disconcerting as the idea of being ripped off is that these counterfeits are also incredibly difficult to tell apart from the real thing. Read more

The White House has ended the ban on photography and social media use during public tours, and is instead urging visitors to take and share photos from tours using the applicable hashtag #WhiteHouseTour. The photography ban had been in place for 40 years, and was instated in part to reduce the damaging effects of flash photography on artwork. Read more

Sony recently shook things up with the announcement of the 42.4MP, backside-illuminated full-frame a7R II mirrorless camera, alongside stacked 1"-type sensors in the updates to the popular RX100 and RX10 lines. We put their new AF systems to the test in our brief hands-on time with the cameras recently. See videos of the cameras in action

Nikon has introduced the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F2.8-4E ED VR, designed to provide an enthusiast photographer with a wide range of options. Covering a 24-120mm equivalent range on Nikon's APS-C bodies, it offers Nano Crystal Coating for the first time in a DX lens. Read more

Nikon has announced a pair of super telephoto FX prime lenses: the AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR and 600mm F4E FL ED VR. Both are significantly lighter than the versions that preceded them and each use an electromagnetic diaphragm for more consistent exposure control during burst shooting. Read more

We had been shooting around with a pre-production version of the Fujifilm X-T10 for some time and recently got in a final version of the camera. Like the flagship X-T1, it uses Fujifilm's 16MP X-Trans APS-C sensor, which is known for producing pleasing colors. As such, we included a variety of out-of-camera JPEGs as well as Raw conversions. See the gallery

Though it has much in common with the X-T1 in terms of image quality, starting with its 16MP X-Trans APS-C sensor and EXR Processor II, the X-T10 presents a very different shooting experience. We've updated our Fujifilm X-T10 first impressions with some thoughts on using the camera in the field. Read more

DxO has introduced OpticsPro 10.4.2, adding Raw support for Canon's EOS 5DS and 5DS R. Also added are 789 new camera/lens combination correction profiles. Updates for DxO FilmPack and DxO ViewPoint also make those applications fully compatible with Photoshop CC 2015. Read more

Video production tool maker Atomos has announced the release of AtomOS6.4, a significant firmware update for its Shogun video monitor and recorder. The update includes a number of useful features, including anamorphic de-squeezing that supports the Panasonic GH4's new anamorphic video mode. Read more