July 2010 news and reviews

Panasonic has announced it is developing a digital 3D interchangeable lens for the Micro Four Thirds system, to be launched by the end of the year. The lens will include two optical paths, projecting left and right image pairs onto the camera sensor. These twin images can later be combined to provide a single 3D image using the company's 3D image processing system and displayed using one of its Viera televisions. The company says it will be the first such lens for a digital system.

Sony has released three prime lenses for its Alpha SLR system. First up is the eagerly-awaited Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM, which we saw in prototype form at PMA. Designed as a fast wideangle for full frame, it also offers a classic 35mm-equivalent field of view on APS-C. Second we have the DT 35mm F1.8 SAM, a fast normal lens for APS-C. Finally this is joined in Sony's newly-christened 'Easy Choice' range of inexpensive primes by the 85mm F2.8 SAM, a compact 'portrait' telephoto that works on both APS-C and full frame cameras. All of these lenses can also be used on the NEX mirrorless cameras via the LA-EA1 adapter, although in manual focus mode only. The 24mm and 85mm lenses will start shipping from late September at retail prices of €1,250 and €250 respectively, followed by the 35mm which will be available from mid-October at a retail price of €200. With regards to the US price and availability of the three lenses, the company says, “Announcement for US market is not being made at this time, but will be made closer to the products’ market introduction.”

Just posted: our review of Adobe Lightroom 3. It's been more than three years since Adobe introduced the first version of Lightroom - its raw processing and workflow tool aimed specifically at photographers. In June 2010 the company released the third version which represented the biggest update the software has yet seen, including the incorporation of an entirely new raw processing engine. We've been using the latest version extensively and have prepared a eight-page review assessing its usefulness as a tool for photographers. We've also looked at its relationship with the rest of the Photoshop family and, most importantly, how its output compares to that of its rivals.

Fujifilm has announced what it claims to be the world's smallest 18x zoom camera in the shape of FinePix S2800HD. It appears to be a 14MP version of its existing S2500HD/S2600HD model, using the same 28-420mm equivalent zoom lens and 3.0" LCD. It offers standard 720p HD video recording alongside features such as AF tracking and Panorama Shooting mode, and is powered by AA batteries.

Sigma has set the suggested retail price of its latest 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens at £1500. Announced in PMA 2010, the lens will be available from July 23 in Canon EF mount. The lens features a new optical design that uses two elements made of the company's recently developed 'FLD' glass plus three SLD glass elements to reduce aberrations, a 9-blade circular aperture, and features full-time manual focus override. The lens is designed for full frame cameras but comes with a lens hood adapter to provide better shading for APS-C cameras.

Sony has unveiled the Cyber-shot DSC-WX5, DSC-TX9 and DSC-T99 digital compacts. The WX5 and TX9 incorporate the company's latest 12.2MP, 1/2.3" Exmor R back illuminated CMOS sensor. Both feature a 'Superior Auto' mode that shoots bursts of between 2 and 6 shots then combines them either to reduced noise or boost dynamic range, depending on the scene you're shooting. The WX5 includes a wide angle 5x optical zoom lens starting at 24mm equivalent and a 2.8" LCD, while the TX9 comes with a 3.5" touchscreen LCD and a 25-100mm equivalent lens. Other features include a Background Defocus mode, 3D Sweep Panorama mode and 1080i Full AVCHD video recording. The DSC-T99 features the same lens and body design as the TX9, a smaller LCD and a 14MP CCD sensor that cannot achieve the fast multi-shot shooting required for Superior Auto mode. All three cameras offer a Soft Skin mode that tries to smooth out wrinkles and other blemishes from the subject's skin.

Sony has released the promised firmware update for its NEX cameras adding 3D Sweep Panorama mode. This mode separates the left and right edges of the individual image used for creating panoramic shots. It then uses these slices' differing perspectives to create a 3D still image that can be played back if you buy one of the company's Bravia TVs. Firmware version 02 also includes bug fixes and promises to improve camera performance including quicker start-up in low light conditions. The updates are available for immediate download from the company's website.