Articles tagged "articles"

Curious about what lies beneath the black panels of your Fujifilm X100T? Wonder no more, as iFixit has just published a disassembly guide. With a Phillips #00 screwdriver, tweezers and a heavy-duty spudger you'll be well on your way to unlocking the mysteries of Fujifilm's beloved mirrorless model. Read more

Portland, OR is also known as 'Bridgetown' for its many crisscrossing bridges slicing through the urban landscape. Rather appropriately, then, the Leica Q is a bridge of sorts for one DPReview staffer, as it is the first mirrorless camera he's used alongside DSLRs while shooting a wedding. So, can the Q replace a full-frame DSLR and wide-angle lens? Read more

The CP+ show in Yokohama Japan has just ended and as usual, alongside new cameras, lenses, and elaborate booths, many of the manufacturers were showing off a bunch of things which had been cut in half. So in keeping with CP+ reporting tradition we stopped by some of the major booths and captured a few of the best examples. Take a look at all the things we found at CP+ which had been cut in half, 2016 edition. Read more

Roger and Aaron over at LensRentals have been tearing lenses down again. This week they've 'eviscerated' Fujifilm's XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8R LM OIS - the company's mid-price tele zoom. The name may be redolent of a '$100 extra for a dual lens kit' zoom but inside they found surprises at every turn. And not just with regards the number of screws holding the thing together. Read more

Sigma announced several products at CP+ 2016, including two new cameras. The interchangeable lens SD Quattro And SD Quattro H represent a departure for the company in two senses - both are mirrorless cameras, and the 'H' features an APS-H format sensor. More conventional are a 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art zoom and 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary prime for mirrorless cameras. Read more

The Leica SL 24-90mm F2.8-4 may not break any new technical ground, but when the SL's 'kit' lens made its way to LensRentals headquarters, the team endeavored to take a careful look inside. With the solidly constructed lens partially disassembled, they got a closer look at its impressive number of moving elements. Read more

DPReview is at the CP+ 2016 show in Yokohama, Japan, where Nikon announced three new compact cameras. The 'DL' range is distinct from the established Coolpix and 1-series lineups, and consists of three cameras built around the same 20MP 1"-type sensor. We headed straight to Nikon's booth to get hands-on time with the DL 18-50, DL 24-85 and DL 24-500. Read more

Together with its new Galaxy S7 and S7 edge flagship phones, Samsung has announced the Galaxy Gear 360 camera at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The Gear 360 is a ball-shaped device that uses two 15MP cameras with F2.0 fisheye-lenses to record 30MP spherical still images or 360-degree video with a resolution of 3840 x 1920 pixels. Read more

Adobe has released a major update to its Photoshop Lightroom for Android mobile app, now achieving feature parity with its iOS counterpart — and even surpassing it in one major way. A brand new in-app camera lets you shoot in Adobe Camera Raw DNG format. Read more

The Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4-6.3 ASPH offers a heck of a lot of reach for not much size. Plus, the rotating buttons on the tripod collar are a smart feature. We took the lens out with the Panasonic GX8 and Olympus E-M1 to see if this new tele option for the Micro Four Thirds system is as serious as its name. Read more

Samsung has launched the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, the successors to the flagship models Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. Despite only fairly moderate design changes, a lot of new technology is incorporated. In the camera department pixel count has been reduced to 12MP for larger 1.4um pixels which means a 56 percent increase in size compared to the Galaxy S6. Samsung has also introduced a new AF system it calls Dual-Pixels, which splits every single pixel into two photodiodes for on-chip phase detection. Read more

The Nextbit Robin is a different kind of smartphone. It's an Android device with a fresh modern design, but its most important feature is the one you never see – it's fully integrated with the cloud, backing up and archiving your phone's images, apps and files so you never run out of local storage. We got ahold of an early unit to test out its camera and unique interface. Read more

Canon has announced the EOS 80D, the successor to very capable EOS 70D that, notably, introduced Dual Pixel autofocus. The 80D brings some marked improvements to Canon's mid-market, enthusiast line, including a new 45-point AF module and updated Dual Pixel AF. Take a look as we go hands-on with the 80D and dig into its new features. Read more

Cloud photo storage services are abundant, but not all photographers are willing to pay the monthly fees associated with large storage amounts. Monument, a project currently seeking crowdfunding, aims to bring the organization and syncing features found in cloud services like Google Photos to a photography-centric storage device that you keep in your own home. Read more

In terms of processing power, look and feel the Sony Xperia M5 ranks below Sony's Xperia Z flagship line of smartphones. However, like the Z-models it's dustproof, waterproof and has a lot to offer in the photography department. The rear camera provides a 21.5MP Sony Exmor sensor with on-chip phase detection combined with an F2.2. lens, as well as 4K video recording. Scoring 79 in DxOMark's Mobile testing, it sets the bar as the best mid-range device in DxO's rankings. Read more

Chinese company Techart has produced an adapter that works with the AF system of Sony's A7 II and A7R II cameras to create an autofocus effect for Leica M mount lenses. The adapter ring sits between the body and the lens and uses a motor to drive the lens back and forth until sharp focus is found. Read more

What looks like a Fujifilm X100T but has the focal length of a Ricoh GR II? Well, Fujifilm's newest and smallest X-series camera, the X70, may have a lot in common with these cameras at first blush, but extended use reveals a more complicated story. Find out what it's like to shoot with the X70 in the real world, and check out an updated sample gallery along with our studio test scene comparison. Read more

Following our recent field test of the Phase One 645DF+ and an accompanying IQ250 back, we thought it would be interesting to see how the same 50MP CMOS sensor is employed by another medium-format beast: the Hasselblad H5D-50c Wi-Fi. Read more

SLR Magic, a company known for making affordable optics and accessories for filmmakers, has announced a new set of anamorphic cinema lenses that can be adapted to a variety of lens mounts. The PL mount ANAMORPHOT-CINE line of lenses includes the 35mm T2.4, the 50mm T2.8 and the 70mm T4, all of which can be adapted for Canon EF, Nikon F, Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount. Read more

If you're juggling multiple Instagram accounts for personal and professional use, the latest version of the app is about to make life a little easier. Version 7.15 for iOS and Android adds support for up to 5 accounts. Read more

Korean lens manufacturer Samyang has added two new wide angle lenses to its Xeen series of full-frame video lenses. The new focal lengths are 14mm and 35mm, and while the 35mm conforms to the family-standard maximum aperture of T1.5, the 14mm opens only to T3.1. The Xeen system now contains a total of five lenses as these two join the existing 24mm, 50mm and 85mm. Read more

Leica has released firmware version 1.5 for the Leica T, adding Wi-Fi Direct functionality for transferring images wirelessly. After updating, Leica T owners can set up a mobile hotspot through which images are shuttled between the camera and an iOS mobile device running the Leica T app. In addition, firmware 1.5 speeds up the camera's wireless reconnection with known networks and improves reconnection reliability. Read more

At a press event in New York City, Sony unveiled a new mirrorless camera and three new lenses – but not just any mirrorless camera, and not just any lenses. The Sony a6300 is the much-anticipated followup to the very successful a6000. And for its full-frame range, Sony introduced a new lens class: G Master. We spent some brief moments with all of the new hardware – take a look. Read more

Earlier today Sony introduced its a6300 APS-C mirrorless camera, an update to the very popular a6000 model. DPReview's Richard Butler was at the event in person and had a chance to get some hands-on time with the new body. In this video he gives us a quick look at Sony's new crop-sensor flagship camera. Read more

Sony has just announced the APS-C a6300, an update to the immensely popular a6000. Its technological advances seem poised to break down some of the last remaining strongholds of DSLRs. Sony has released a few videos demonstrating some of these features. Have a look

The GoPro HERO4 Session is the company's latest action camera release. Unlike GoPros before it, the Session is completely waterproof without the need for any housing. It is also the smallest, lightest GoPro to date, 50% smaller than the HERO4 and 40% lighter. Read more

The Nikon KeyMission 360 action camera was unveiled at an event in early January, and while Nikon offered some details about the model, it did not reveal the price. Now, nearly a month later, the camera has surfaced on German retailer Cyberport's website with a list price of €499 and a features list. Read more

At the end of last year we asked you to vote for the best cameras and lenses of 2015. Across two rounds of voting in December and January DPReview readers did just that, selecting the top overall photography products of 2015. It was no easy feat, as 2015 brought huge advancements in stills and video technology, but with thousands of votes tallied it's time to declare a winner. See how the votes stacked up. Read more

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is the company's latest flagship DSLR. Its lineage and price tag make clear that it's aimed at professionals, but what does that really mean? We take a closer look at exactly who the 1D X II is for and how those features are relevant. Read more

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is the company's latest pro-level camera, now built around a 20.2MP CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel AF technology. It uses a body that's a subtle evolution of the classic 1D design, but inside almost every aspect of the camera's feature set has been overhauled. In this article, we'll talk you through the biggest changes. Read more

After the official launch of the X-Pro2 recently in Tokyo, Fujifilm invited a select group of press to visit its Taiwa assembly plant in Sendai, to see the camera being put together. As well as the X-Pro2, we were also able to see the assembly lines for the X-T1, X100T and several lenses. So of course, being the nerds that we are, we took a bunch of pictures. Click through to check out our factory tour

Photo Mate, arguably the most comprehensive Raw image editing app for Android, has received a substantial update. Version R3 comes with an all-new rendering engine for both Raw & JPEG editing. This includes improvements to all the important adjustments, such as contrast, shadows, highlights and exposure. Read more

A patent was recently granted to Apple describing how a spherical image sensor can be used to design a very compact camera module. The sensor is spherically curved and eliminates the need to correct for curvature of field, meaning a simpler, brighter and ultimately smaller lens design can be used. Read more

The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | A is the newest member of Sigma's family of 'Art' lenses. It's also the widest member of the Art lens family, and with a maximum aperture of F1.4 Sigma claims that it's the fastest 20mm lens in the world.  We shot this lens on both 5DS R and 7D Mark II bodies, and since we had an EOS mount we even tried it on the Sony A7R II as well. How did it do? Take a look

With its new 20MP sensor, high-resolution electronic viewfinder and slick rangefinder styling, the new Olympus PEN-F has been receiving Texas-sized portions of praise around the DPReview offices. But it's not all southern hospitality for the PEN series' newest flagship. DPReview writer Carey Rose been shooting with it in Austin all week; find out how it fared. Read more

Olympus's PEN series of digital interchangeable lens cameras has a long heritage, stretching right back to the mid-20th Century, long before digital imaging transformed photography. The company's latest PEN shows off its early influences in a classically-styled body and enthusiast-friendly handling experience, but in terms of its specifications the PEN F is thoroughly modern. Click through for a closer look

LensRentals' Roger Cicala has been his usual busy self, tearing lenses apart to work out how to repair and maintain them. The latest optic to fall prey to his toolkit is the Sony Zeiss 35mm F1.4 ZA: one of the company's latest designs for its full frame a7 series cameras. Peering inside reveals a radical design approach far removed from the one Canon uses for its latest 35mm lens. Read more

Award-winning and Emmy-nominated visual journalist and filmmaker Tim Matsui used to view stories as a means of having experiences. Now, he sees them as a means of creating change, engaging audiences and helping them see that they can make a difference. In this PIX 2015 video, Matsui speaks on The Long Night, his documentary on human trafficking, and how he leveraged grassroots distribution to effect social change. Read more

Like its predecessor, the OnePlus 2 offers the specification of a high-end phone at a budget price point. The camera's 13MP resolution isn't anything out of the ordinary these days, but optical image stabilization and a laser-assisted AF system tend to be found only on expensive top-end models. Find out where its appealing camera specs land the OnePlus 2 in DxOMark's mobile rankings. Read more

DSLR autofocus has been the gold standard for decades but the higher accuracy and precision offered by some mirrorless cameras risks tarnishing this image. However, many modern DSLRs include an option to fine-tune the AF behavior to help optimize their performance. Guest writer Joey Miller has written a short guide to how to make use of this feature over on the LensRentals blog. Read more

Lomography has resurrected another classic Russian lens to sit next to its Petzval 85mm and 58mm lenses. This time, the company has revived one of the Jupiter designs that are so popular in our Adapted Lens Talk forum. The 50mm F1.5 lens is offered in L39 mount with an included M-mount adapter. Read more

Canon made some big claims about the development put into its 35mm F1.4L II. Its new Blue Spectrum Refractive optics is claimed to minimize longitudinal chromatic aberration, and a new 9-blade aperture promises smoother bokeh and 18-ray sunstars. With a copy of the lens in our hands, Sam Spencer put these claims to the test in a shootout against the Mark I version and the Sigma 35mm Art. Read more

Panasonic has announced that the next version of its Lumix DMC-CM1 smartphone will dispense with its phone functionality to concentrate on being a camera. The Lumix DMC-CM10 will initially only be available in Japan, and is very much the same as the original DMC-CM1, but while it will run on the Android 5.0 operating system it will not be equipped to make phone calls. Read more

MaxCurve is an app for iPhone and iPad that, as the name suggests, relies predominantly on curves for image editing. Overall, there are 20 curve adjustments available which are grouped into so-called kits. Another key feature of MaxCurve is its ability to connect, via Wi-Fi, to a desktop version of Photoshop that is running on a Windows PC or Mac. Read more

Mobile phone add-on-lens manufacturer olloclip has announced it is to introduce a new case for the iPhone 6 series that makes it easier to fit additional accessories to complement the process of shooting movies and stills with its products. Read more

In the HTC device lineup the One A9 sits just below the flagship One M9. However, in the camera department, with its faster F2.0 aperture and optical image stabilization, it actually offers some advantages over the M9. There is also a dual-LED flash and the A9 is, like the M9, capable of recording DNG Raw files. However, with a DxOMark Mobile score of 78 the HTC A9 doesn't place itself among the best current smartphone cameras. Read more

In addition to the Fujifilm X-Pro2 and X-E2S, Fujifilm also announced the X70, a compact camera with a fixed 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens. Focal length aside, the X70 is in many way an X100T without an electronic viewfinder, but with the addition of an articulating touchscreen. Read more 

We've been using a Fujifilm X-Pro2 for a couple of weeks now, and have taken the time to dig beyond the basic specifications of the camera. Join us on a walk through the features that matter and what it means for Fujifilm's new flagship. Read more

In a bit of a surprise, one of the hottest products to make an appearance at CES 2016 was an analog product: Kodak's Super 8 movie camera. Built around the classic Super 8 film format, the camera does make some nods to contemporary digital technology, but the film is the real thing. DPReview editor Dale Baskin talks with Kodak's Josh Coon to learn a bit more about this camera. Read more

Lensbaby has announced that its Edge 50 Optic lens is now available to existing Muse and Composer owners for pre-order. Previously sold only in combination with the Composer II lens body, the Edge 50 Optic is part of Lensbaby’s Optic Swap System for Muse and Composer series lenses, and was released in October 2015. Read more