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February 2016 news and reviews

February 29
Olympus 'Fox Brown' limited edition OM-D E-M10 II launched worldwide

A brown and chrome version of the OM-D E-M10 II compact system camera, first announced in January, has been launched worldwide by Olympus. The new version is a limited edition, of which only 3500 will be made and distributed. Read more

Tamrac Goblin gear pouches protect lenses, cameras and memory cards

Tamrac has a new line of Goblin gear pouches designed for lenses and cameras, as well as larger accessory pouches for storing multiple items together. The product line includes half a dozen lens pouches with drawstring enclosures, three body pouches, two accessory pouches and one memory card wallet. Read more

Field Test: The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV in Mexico

A year of field tests have taken DPR Editor Barney Britton and series director Eric Becker into some challenging shooting environments, so for a change of pace, late last year the pair took the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV to the sun-soaked Yucatán peninsula. Read more

CP+ 2016: Things we found that had been cut in half

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

February 28
Opinion: Enthusiast compacts have finally come of age

Last December, DPR editor Jeff Keller was looking for a enthusiast compact camera to put under someone's tree. Turns out such a camera didn't exist. Thankfully, the category has grown by leaps and bounds in 2016, so there's now an enthusiast compact for everyone. Read the story

The journey: Michael Brown on photography at the edge of the world

Michael Brown is an award-winning director and a pioneer of adventure filmmaking. In his talk from PIX 2015 Michael takes us on a very personal journey to the edges of the world, including climbing Mt. Everest with blind climber Erik Weihenmayer. In the process, he shares important lessons about risks, relationships and the importance of challenging ourselves and mentoring others. Read more

CP+ 2016: Fujifilm gets new X-Pro2 and X70 into photographers' hands

Fujifilm didn't announce any new products at CP+ this year, but the show is the first chance that a lot of Japanese enthusiast photographers have had to get their hands on the X-Pro2 and X70, which were unveiled last month. In an effort to get cameras into photographers' hands, Fujifilm is running a rental service at this year's show, where prospective X-series users can hire gear while they're attending the show. Read more

February 27
Something we've never seen before: LensRentals 'eviscerates' the Fujifilm XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8R LM OIS

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

Let there be light: Photographing Yosemite's elusive 'Firefall'

Once a year, photographers turn their lenses toward Yosemite's Horsetail Fall and hope for the conditions that transform this waterfall into a spectacle known as 'Firefall'. The late February sun casts a blazing orange glow on the water – that is, if the water is flowing, and if the horizon isn't too cloudy. One photographer shares his story capturing the event. Read more

CP+ 2016: Nissin gets serious with radio-triggered flash solutions

Flash manufacturer Nissin offers some compelling alternatives to on-brand flashes, and they've recently updated their lineup with the i60A, Nissin's second, and smaller, flash that integrates with their 2.4GHz radio wireless control system. Nissin's got their flashes, commanders, and receivers on display here at CP+, and we got our hands on a few of these exciting products. Read more

CP+ 2016: Pentax K-1 past and present

It's finally here! We're at the CP+ show in Yokohama Japan where we got our hands on the new Pentax K-1. While we were at Ricoh's booth we also got a glimpse into the not-so-humble beginnings of Pentax's flagship full-frame DSLR. Read more

CP+ 2016: Nikon shows off new D5, D500 and DL compacts

Attendance is up at this year's CP+ show in Yokohama Japan, and that's partly thanks to new products from some of the biggest camera manufacturers, including Nikon. We're at the show, where large crowds are gathering around Nikon's booth to get their hands on the new DL-series compacts, and two new DSLRs, the D5 and D500. Read more

February 26
Macphun offers Aurora HDR Pro 3-month payment plan

Macphun has announced a new 3-month payment plan for Aurora HDR Pro, the image editing application for Mac OS X it launched in November. Rather than requiring the full $99 USD price at the time of purchase, the payment plan allows users to pay $33 per month for three months, while still gaining immediate access to the software license. Read more

Polaroid launches Eyeball panoramic tripod head

A remote control spinning tripod head that is said to be ideal for shooting panoramas has been launched in the US and UK by Polaroid. The Panorama Eyeball Head fits on a tripod or stands freely on its own feet, and can accommodate DSLRs as well as compacts. The control unit connects with the head via an IR link and manages both the speed and direction of rotation. Read more

Video: Hands-on with Sony's G Master lenses and the a6300 at CP+ 2016

There are lots of new products vying for attention at CP+ 2016, including Sony's a6300 and new GM series lenses for its full-frame mirrorless cameras. And they are getting plenty of attention from show attendees, especially those eager to try out the FE 85mm F1.4 GM. We took another look at the a6300 and the GM lenses on display at the buzzing Sony booth in Yokohama. Read more

CP+ 2016: Canon shows off new EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS 80D and G7 X Mark II

As usual at the CP+ show in Yokohama, one of the longest lines can be found at Canon's booth. This year, Canon's EOS 80D and EOS-1D X Mark II were in huge demand from both press and public attendees alike, and we fought our way through the crowd to get hands on with both new models - and the surprisingly nice PowerShot G7 X Mark II. Read more

CP+ 2016: A look inside the G Master lenses at the Sony booth

Just before CP+ 2016, we had the chance to get our hands on preproduction models of Sony's three new G Master lenses that sit above the existing G lenses in Sony's lineup. Our hands-on time on the show floor here at CP+ have allowed us to formulate a better opinion and one thing's becoming clear: we think Sony has good reason to make the recent claims they've made regarding the GM series. Read more

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with new Panasonic lenses and ZS100

At this year's CP+ show in Yokohama, Japan, Panasonic unveiled the Lumix G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power O.I.S. lens. Featuring a splash and dustproof design, the 24-120mm equivalent zoom is designed to be a lightweight, versatile companion to Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds cameras. We got our hands on a sample at Panasonic's booth, along with the new Lumix DMC-ZS100. Read more

 

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

Tamron is showing off two brand new lenses at CP+ this year - the SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD and SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro. The 'SP' in the model names stands for 'Super Performance' - a designation that Tamron reserves for its high-end optics. We headed to the Tamron booth today and got our hands on the new lenses, and Tamron's upcoming TAP-in Console. Read more

February 25
Leica and Huawei announce partnership to 'reinvent smartphone photography'

Leica and Huawei will work together in research and development, design, co-engineering, user experience, marketing and retail distribution.

Tether Tools' Case Relay provides continuous power for many DSLR and mirrorless cameras

The Case Relay Camera Power System from Tether Tools offers 'infinite camera power' for a wide range of DSLR and mirrorless cameras. The system works via a DC coupler that plugs into both the camera’s battery port and the Case Relay. The Relay plugs into either a 5V USB external battery or a wall outlet. Read more

Video: Hands-on with the Nikon DL trio at CP+ 2016 in Japan

It's all well and good to imagine what Nikon's trio of 1"-type sensor compacts might be like based on spec, but there's nothing like getting them in your hands. See what the buzz is all about – straight from the show floor of CP+ in Yokohama, Japan. Read more

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with new Sigma SD cameras and lenses

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

All those moving elements: LensRentals looks inside the Leica SL 24-90mm F2.8-4

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

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Nikon DL compacts

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

SLR Magic’s Anamorphot-Cine 1.33x lenses now shipping with revised specification

Lens manufacturer SLR Magic has announced 'significant' changes to the optical and mechanical specification of its Anamorphot-Cine 1.33x anamorphic lenses, which it says are now available. The lens set was first shown at IBC at the end of last year, but the company says the latest versions have crucial differences – although they don’t say exactly what those differences are. Read more

February 24
ZTE Spro Plus combines 8.4-inch tablet with laser projector

The Spro Plus could be used for showing your portfolio in large format on the go.

History Repeating: Olympus PEN-F Review

Olympus has brought new life – and a new face – to the famed film-era PEN series with the all-new digital PEN-F. The PEN-F is a 20MP rangefinder-style interchangeable lens camera that inherits a lot of features from the OM-D E-M5 II, including 5-axis image stabilization and a high resolution shooting mode. It has an impressive spec sheet, but how does it perform? Read more

Xiaomi announces Mi 5 flagship smartphone

Xiaomi's Mi 5 wants to compete with the flagship models of more established manufacturers.

Oppo announces first sensor-based IS for smartphones

Oppo claims its new sensor-based IS for smartphones is more precise and power efficient than lens-based systems.

Panasonic adds weather-resistant Lumix G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power OIS to lens lineup

With the start of CP+ 2016 just one day away, Panasonic is introducing the Lumix G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power O.I.S. to its family of Micro Four Thirds lenses. Featuring a splash and dustproof design, the lens is compatible with Panasonic's Dual IS feature, currently available on the Lumix DMC-GX8. Read more

February 23
Nissin releases i60A flash unit with a guide number of 60m

Flash manufacturer Nissin has announced a hotshoe flash unit that features a guide number of 60m and the company's radio wireless control system. The Nissin i60A can control three groups of flashes in its role as a commander, or it can be controlled via another Nissin flash unit (only the Di700A at the moment) equipped with the NAS system or by the company’s Air 1 commander unit. Read more

Sigma announces sd Quattro and sd Quattro H Foveon mirrorless cameras

Sigma has announced two mirrorless ILCs: the Sigma sd Quattro and the sd Quattro H. Both cameras use the company's full-depth SA lens mount as used in its SLRs, and are built around APS-C and APS-H sized sensors, respectively. Both use the company's Foveon technology that captures different color information at different depths in the sensor. Read more

Sigma introduces EF-630 multi-function flash

Sigma has announced a more powerful external flash for DSLRs, the EF-630. It updates the existing EF-610 flash units by covering a 24mm to 200mm focal range (as wide as 17mm with the built-in Wide Panel), with an auto zooming function. Based on Sigma's naming conventions it's safe to assume the EF-630 offers a guide number of 63. It's also able to tilt upward by 90°, left/right by 180° and downward by 7°. Read more

DL or No DL? What you need to know about the Nikon DL compacts

Nikon has arrived a little late to the 1" sensor compact party but it's turned up mob-handed. It's announced three DL models: two fast-lens compact cameras with a choice of wide or standard zoom range, and a 21x superzoom model. Click through to read about the specifics of the DL18-50, DL24-85 and DL24-500, and where they sit among the competition.

Sigma announces 30mm F1.4 for E-mount and Micro 4/3 and 50-100mm F1.8 Art for APS-C

Sigma has added two new fast-aperture lenses to its Art and Contemporary lineups. For owners of Canon, Nikon and Sigma APS-C bodies there's the 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art, which is equivalent to 75-150mm. This lens has a redesigned Hyper Sonic Motor, nine-blade rounded aperture and internal zoom. The other lens is for Sony E-mount and Micro Four Thirds bodies, and it's a fast 30mm F1.4 prime, equivalent to 45mm and 60mm, respectively. Read more

Sigma Mount Converter MC-11 adapts Sigma lenses to E-mount cameras, supports autofocus

Sigma has announced an adapter for Sony E-mount cameras, making it possible to use Sigma's most recent lenses in Canon and Sigma mount on full-frame or APS-C E-mount bodies. The MC-11 is able to use phase detect AF with adapted lenses, and makes use of both camera and lens stabilization when present. Read more

Nikon covers all focal lengths with three 'DL' enthusiast compacts with 1"-type sensors

Nikon is entering the 1"-type premium compact market in a big way, introducing three new models that cover pretty much every focal length. The guts of all three 'DL' models are the same, in that they have 20.8MP BSI CMOS sensors, Hybrid AF with 20 fps burst shooting with continuous AF, and 4K video support. The DL18-50 has an 18-50mm equiv. F1.8-2.8 lens and a tilting touchscreen display, while the DL24-85 has a 24-85mm equiv. F1.8-2.8 lens and no built-in flash. The DL24-500 is the long zoom model, with a 24-500mm equiv. F2.8-5.6 lens, fully articulating display and built-in EVF. More details

Nikon announces trio of long-zoom Coolpix cameras, two of which support 4K capture

Nikon has announced three new superzoom cameras. The Coolpix A900 is the compact one of the bunch, offering a 20MP BSI CMOS sensor, 24-840mm equiv. lens, tilting LCD and 4K capture. The Coolpix B500 is an inexpensive bridge camera with a 22.5-900mm lens, 16MP sensor and tilting display. It uses AA batteries - a rarity these days - but cannot capture 4K. Its big brother, the B900 does, and it also comes with a 20MP sensor, 24-1440mm lens, electronic viewfinder and fully articulating LCD. Read more

Ricoh introduces lightweight WG-M2 rugged action cam with 4K capture

Ricoh has announced the WG-M2, an update to the WG-M1, its original rugged action camera, adding 4K video at 30 fps. It's capable of diving to depths of up to 19.8m/65ft, an improvement over the prior model's 9.8m/32ft waterproof rating, and is 40% smaller than the WG-M1. The WG-M2 is also able to operate in temperatures as low as -10°C/14°F and will survive falls up to 2m/6.5ft. Read more

Limited edition Pentax K-3 II announced to commemorate 80 years of Ricoh

It's not just the Ricoh GR II getting the special treatment. To commemorate the company's 80th anniversary, Ricoh has announced it will produce a version of its Pentax K-3 II with a textured, silver finish. Just 500 units will be produced in total, and will be sold online exclusively for $999.95. Read more

February 22
This one goes to 11: Aurora Aperture announces 'world's most powerful' variable ND filter

A California-based company called Aurora Aperture has introduced a variable density filter that can cut up to eleven stops of light, an amount it claims is more than anything else on the market. The Aurora PowerXND 2000 has a rating of ND 16-2000 or ND 1.2-3.3, meaning that it can reduce exposures by between 4 and 11 stops. Read more

SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-II claims to be fastest

SanDisk has introduced the Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-II card, calling it the fastest microSD card in the world. The new Extreme PRO will be offered in 64GB and 128GB capacities, and features transfer speeds up to 275MB/sec with Class 10 and UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) ratings. Read more

Samsung Gear 360 records spherical video and stills

Samsung's Gear 360 camera is meant to be used with the Korean manufacturer's latest smartphone models.

Sony Xperia X puts focus on the camera

Sony's Xperia X combines high-end camera specs with mid-range processing.

Adobe’s Lightroom for Android app update lets you shoot and process Raw

An update for Adobe's Lightroom app for Android introduces Raw image capture within the application.

Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4-6.3 ASPH Real World Sample Gallery

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

Tamron releases stabilized 85mm F1.8 and 90mm F2.8 macro full-frame lenses

Third party lens-maker Tamron has released a pair of new full-frame, stabilized primes. First is an 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD which has LD and XLD elements, 9 circular aperture blades, a fluorine coating to keep moisture off of the front element and 3.5 stops of shake reduction. Lens number two is a 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro which has many of the same specs as the 85mm but allows for life-size close-ups. Both lenses are weather-sealed and will be available for Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts. Read more

Tamron announces TAP-in console to customize lens AF, firmware and more

Tamron has announced the TAP-in console, enabling firmware updates and customized setup for select SP-series lenses. Much like the Sigma Dock for Sigma lenses, Tamron's console mounts to the back of compatible lenses and connects to a PC/Mac utility, allowing users to optimize focus calibration, set focus limiters and optimize vibration compensation on lenses that support these functions. Read more

Huawei launches MateBook hybrid laptop

Huawei announces an Intel-powered tablet/laptop hybrid running Windows 10.

LG launches G5 modular smartphone with dual lens and optional camera grip

The LG G5 comes with a range of interesting new camera features.

Samsung launches Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge with dual-pixel AF

The latest Samsung Galaxy S generation is water-repellent and comes with an improved camera.

February 21
Working with what you've got: Bambi Cantrell on photographing brides, babies and more

Keep it simple. Do what you can with what you've got. A great expression can be perfection. After over 30 years in the business, professional portrait and wedding photographer Bambi Cantrell is chock-full of useful advice for both aspiring amateurs and established pros alike. Click through to see some of Cantrell's work, and how she uses common sense, intuition and charm to capture meaningful images for her clients. Read more 

Wonder of nature: Eight winning photos from the 9th International Garden Photographer of the Year competition

A photographer from the UK has collected £7500 along with the title International Garden Photographer of the Year as the results of the ninth competition have been announced. Richard Bloom took the first prize with a picture of a field of lupins he came across while in New Zealand in the summer of 2015. See his photo and other category winners here. Read more

February 20
Week in Review: One for the history books

To say it was a busy week is an understatement. The world didn't only get full-frame Pentax this week, it got so many more things: a Canon EOS 80D! A kit lens with a strange detachable power zoom accessory! A Panasonic GF-series update made just for selfies! Just to be sure you didn't miss anything, you better take a look back with us. Read more

Quick review: Nextbit Robin camera

We had a chance to shoot with the Nextbit Robin and check how it performs as a mobile photography device.

February 19
Western Digital upgrades its My Cloud NAS system with multi-tasking processor

Storage manufacturer Western Digital Corporation has added a new 1.3 GHz dual core processor and 1GB of DDR3 memory to its latest network attached storage system and increased its maximum capacity to 12TB. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra is a twin-bay data storage device that the company aims at creative users, and which it is says is especially suited to those working with still and moving images. Read more

Rumors hint at super-fast Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 Art lens for APS-C DSLRs

Rumors suggest Sigma is to launch a 50-100mm F1.8 lens for APS-C cameras. Full specifications and convincing images of the lens have been leaked, which suggest the lens will be part of the company's impressive 'Art' range. Such a lens would offer a fast partner to the company's 18-35mm F1.8 Art lens, giving the same angle-of-view, depth-of-field and total light gathering capability as a ~75-150mm F2.8 lens on full-frame. Read more

Finding your story: National Geographic grant winner Max Lowe

Born into a family with a taste for the 'restless life,' Max Lowe's photographic journey began late and grew quickly. His zeal for travel to far flung regions of the world, to lead a restless life himself, naturally extended to a desire to tell the stories of his experiences through photography. What started as a hobby quickly became the journey of a lifetime through a grant with National Geographic. See Lowe's pictures and learn more about his career. Read more

The long, difficult road to Pentax full-frame

The new Pentax K-1 has been long awaited by Pentax users past and present, but the road to its creation has been long, winding and not without some wrong turns. In this article, DPReview editor and old (ish) fart Barnaby Britton turns back the clock and looks at what went wrong with Pentax's original, canceled full-frame DSLR, and how the company came through two buy-outs and several changes of strategy to end up with the K-1. Read more

February 18
World Press Photo of the Year 2015 awarded for moonlight migrant portrait

Australian photographer Warren Richardson has won the 2015 World Press Photo of the Year. Richardson’s winning photo, taken on the night of August 28, 2015 at the Hungarian-Serbian border, shows a baby being passed through a barbed wire fence by a refugee. Read more

Worth the wait? A look inside the Pentax K-1

The long-awaited Pentax K-1 fits some interesting new technology into a solidly constructed, tough-as-nails frame. We had the chance to take an in-depth look at some of the camera's new features and grabbed some hands-on shots while the K-1 paid our office a brief visit. Take a closer look at what makes this Pentax full-frame camera quite impressive. Read more

Newly enthused: hands on with the Canon EOS 80D

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

In a nutshell: a video rundown of the Canon EOS 80D's features

Don't have time to read through our rather tech-y hands-on overview of the Canon EOS 80D? We've put together a quick primer video on the camera's features and changes, to bring you up to speed. Lend us your ears for a mere 106 seconds and we'll tell you what you need to know. Read more

Canon EOS 80D updates Dual Pixel AF, bumps resolution with 24MP sensor

Canon has updated its prosumer DSLR line with the EOS 80D, offering a new 24.2MP APS-C sensor, 45-point all cross-type autofocus module, updated Dual Pixel AF for live view still and video recording and Wi-Fi with NFC. Read more

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II boasts faster performance and improved ergonomics

Canon has introduced the PowerShot G7 Mark II with a new DIGIC 7 processor, which improves Raw shooting performance and battery life. Maintaining its predecessor's 20.1MP 1"-type CMOS sensor and 24-100mm equiv. lens, the G7 X II brings some updates to the camera's exterior as well, with a re-designed grip, bottom-hinged 3" 1.04M-dot LCD and a front control dial with clicking or smooth-turning operation. Read more

Canon offers EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM, power zoom adapter and directional microphone

Introduced alongside the Canon EOS 80D is an updated 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, which uses a new 'Nano USM' focus motor. Complementing the 80D's video features, Canon has also announced a power zoom adapter for use with the 18-135mm as well a directional microphone. Read more

Canon PowerShot SX720 HS boasts new 40x zoom lens with a compact form factor

The Canon PowerShot SX720 IS comes with an all-new 40x, F3.3-6.9 zoom lens, achieving a 35mm-equivalent zoom range of 24-960mm. Backing up the lens is a 20.3MP 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 imaging processor, and a textured grip and Wi-Fi with NFC round out the package. Click through for all the details. Read more

February 17
Special K? Pentax K-1 First Impressions Review

To say that a full-frame Pentax DSLR is one of the most anticipated cameras of all-time is probably an understatement. With the arrival of the K-1, Pentaxians have finally had their wish granted, with an impressively spec'd camera at a relatively low price. We got to spend a bit of time with the K-1 recently and have put together some first impressions. Read more

Here at last: Ricoh unveils the Pentax K-1 full-frame DSLR with 36MP sensor for $1800

After years of development, not to mention months of teasers, Ricoh has made its Pentax K-1 full-frame DSLR a reality. The first 35mm format Pentax DSLR, the K-1 offers a 36.4MP CMOS sensor, 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization, a 'nearly 100%' optical viewfinder and 33-point AF system with 25 cross-type points – all for under $1800. Read more

Ricoh adds 15-30mm F2.8 SDM WR and 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR to full-frame lens range

Ricoh has expanded its full-frame lens range, announcing the HD Pentax-D FA 15-30mm F2.8 and FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 alongside the introduction of the full-frame K-1 DSLR. Read more

Monument is an intelligent personal photo storage device

Monument is marketed as an alternative to cloud photo services like Google Photos.

A closer look: Iconasys Product Photography Turntable

You may have noticed a new feature in our camera reviews lately – an interactive, 360-degree view. With selectable hot spots, the 360-view gives a closer look at a camera's notable body features. We've been excited to roll them out in recent reviews, and now you can take a look at how we put them together. Read more

February 16
FlatCam prototype eliminates lens using pinhole-like sensor mask

A team of researchers at Rice University are developing a thin, lensless camera called FlatCam, which replaces the traditional lens with a grid-like coded mask essentially made of many pinholes positioned over the sensor. Read more

Sony develops 22MP smartphone sensor with on-chip AF processing and video IS

Sony has announced a 22.5MP Exmor RS imaging sensor for smartphones. The new stacked 1/2.6" CMOS sensor, called IMX318, is smaller than most used by current smartphones and includes on-chip processing for AF and video image stabilization. Sony has used pixels measuring 1.0µm, allowing for a smaller sensor with higher resolution to be included in likewise slimmer mobile devices. Read more

Surrealism and intimacy: fine art portraiture with Fritz Liedtke

Pacific Northwest native Fritz Liedtke strives to create fine art portraiture that tells a story through lighting and focus. With years of work spanning the use of 4x5 cameras, DSLRs and Lensbaby lenses, Liedtke's work often has an air of both surrealism and intimacy. In this video, find out more about Liedtke's approach to personal projects and portraiture in general. Read more

DxOMark Mobile report: Sony Xperia M5

DxOMark has published its image quality test results for the Sony Xperia M5.

February 15
Ricoh celebrates 80th anniversary with limited edition silver GR II

If the stealth-black GR II isn't quite showy enough for you, then you may be interested in Ricoh's new 'Silver Edition' camera, which it created to celebrate its 80th anniversary. In addition to its new color, Ricoh has also diamond-engraved the lens' specs onto its front ring, added a custom on/off screen and bundled a leather carrying case. Only 3200 of the Silver Edition GR II cameras will be sold worldwide, so get your order in soon. Read more

Adobe issues fix for Creative Cloud Mac update that could delete files

Last week, Adobe rolled out a Creative Cloud update with a harmful bug that, for some subscribers, deleted files from the user's system root directory. Once the bug was discovered with the help of backup platform Backblaze, Creative Cloud version 3.5.0.206 was pulled from release and was replaced Sunday with an update that promises to fix the issue. Read more

Picasa will be phased out in favor of Google Photos

Last year, Google rolled out a stand-alone Photos app with unlimited storage, stirring up rumors that its photo editing application Picasa's days were numbered. Sure enough, in a statement on Friday Google announced that Picasa will be phased to make way for Google Photos, detailing what it hopes will be a more uniform photo experience. The change will take place 'over the coming months.' Read more

ZY Optics launches improved Speedmaster F0.95 35mm lens, claiming 30% better resolution

The Shenyang Zhongyi Optical & Electronic Company Limited has introduced an updated version of its super-fast 35mm lens for APS-C sensor cameras that it claims has better resolution and reduced chromatic aberration. The manual focus Mitakon Speedmaster 35mm F0.95 II is also smaller and lighter than the original model, with a length of 60mm instead of 82mm, a filter thread of 55mm instead of 58mm and a weight of 460g/1.06lb versus 680g/1.5lb. Read more

Ultra-compact: Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II review

There’s no denying the appeal of Sony’s RX1R II. It promises high-resolution full-frame image quality that’s bolstered by an impressive autofocus system, reasonable depth-of-field control from its 35mm F2 lens and a compact form factor that encourages you to take it with you everywhere. But would you want to? Click through to find out what we think. Read more

Beauty-centric Panasonic Lumix GF8 is all about the selfies

Panasonic has introduced the Lumix DMC-GF8, essentially a GF7 with an emphasis on selfie-friendly features. It continues to offer the GF7's 16MP Four Thirds sensor, 1080/60p video and built-in Wi-Fi, but wraps it all up in your choice of a pink, silver, brown or orange leather-like finish. Read more

February 14
Lens Technique: Wide-angle portraiture with the Sigma 24-35mm F2 DG HSM Art

Photographers tend to shy away from wide-angle lenses when shooting portraits, but DPReview Technical Editor Rishi Sanyal thinks that's all wrong. In this video, he uses the Sigma 24-35mm F2 Art to illustrate his case for wide-angle portraits, capturing a couple of models with a setting sun in Seattle's lovely Discovery Park. Read more

February 13
A conversation with portrait photographer Brian Smith

When Brian Smith was just a High School student with a budding interest in making photographs, he learned that photography could earn you some significant perks – and at that age, that meant a pass to leave campus. These days he's well known for his portraiture, including a portfolio of A-list celebrities. He sat down with DPReview Editor Barney Britton at PIX 2015 to discuss his career. See video

February 12
Manfrotto introduces six new monopods for XPRO range

Tripod and accessory manufacturer Manfrotto has announced a total of six new monopods that it has added to the XPRO range, including models in carbon fiber as well as aluminum. The models cover three families of monopods: Prime for the heaviest equipment, Over for those who need height but for lighter kit, and Land for traveling. Read more

Sphericam 2 professional fully spherical camera records 4K/60 fps videos

The folks at Sphericam are back with a second generation model of their unique angular camera. The Sphericam 2 is, according to the company, the first fully spherical pro-grade 360-degree camera that records 4K footage at 60 fps. The resulting videos can be used in VR applications, as well as on platforms that support 360-degree content like YouTube and Spinnable. Read more

Kipon to produce Canon EF to Sony E-mount adapter with AF and slot-in ND grads

Chinese lens adapter manufacturer Kipon has said it is producing a new model that will allow Canon EF lenses to fit on Sony A-series mirrorless bodies while maintaining their AF functionality. The Kipon EF-S/E AF ND lens adapter also comes provided with a slot-in four-stop graduated neutral density filter that can be fitted into the body of the ring. Read more

February 11
Cambo introduces Canon EOS lens plate with aperture control for Actus view camera system

Cambo has devised a new Canon EF/EF-S lens plate for its Actus view camera system that allows users to control aperture settings on Canon EOS lenses. The Cambo Actus system is designed to deliver a view camera style of shooting to some mirrorless camera bodies, consisting of a lens plate and a body plate with bellows and a monorail in between. Read more

Techart brings AF to Leica M lenses on Sony’s a7 II and a7R II

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

Ricoh partners with 360° content social platform Spinnable

Ricoh has partnered with Spinnable, a social sharing platform dedicated to 360-degree content. The partnership allows Ricoh Theta S owners to directly upload 360-degree videos recorded with the camera to Spinnable. The Spinnable platform is currently available as an iOS app, and will soon be launched for Android, Samsung Gear, and desktop, as well. Read more

Fujifilm X70 Shooting Experience: Taking it to the streets

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

How tough can it be? LensRentals looks at why it's so hard to make lenses

Why can't you just make them better? It sounds like a reasonable question until you start unpacking exactly what it entails, and that's exactly what Roger Cicala does in the latest LensRentals blog post. As usual, the closer he looks, the more complicated the question becomes. So why can't everyone just (repeatably and affordably) make lenses, you know... better? Read more

February 10
Olympus SH-3 with 4K video recording announced in Japan

Olympus Japan has announced the Stylus SH-3, a relatively minor update to the SH-2 model introduced last March. The SH-3 offers 4K video at 15 fps and gains a half dozen new Art Filters. Otherwise, it features the same 16MP BSI CMOS sensor as the SH-2, as well as its predecessor's 25-600mm equivalent F3.0-6.9 24x optical zoom lens, 5-axis image stabilization and night scene capture mode. Read more

Nifty fifty: Hands-on with the Hasselblad H5D-50c Wi-Fi

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

Eric Kim launches 'Henri' Neck Strap (Mark II) and Wrist Strap

If you're one to be tempted by fancy camera straps, you may be interested to know that street photographer Eric Kim has announced two new 'Henri' straps: the 'Henri' Neck Strap (Mark II) and the 'Henri' Wrist Strap. The newest neck strap is made from a darker leather than the previous version, the same color as 'a good cup of coffee,' according to Kim. Read more

February 9
SLR Magic announces anamorphic lenses for filmmakers

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

Sekonic expands LiteMaster Pro meter series for wireless control of Elinchrom and Phottix flashes

Japanese light and color meter manufacturer Sekonic has introduced a pair of new ambient and flash light meters to the L-478 series that are dedicated to use with Elinchrom and Phottix flash units. Read more

Instagram now supports multi-account use

You can now use the Instagram app on your device with more than one account.

Finally! Adobe updates Bridge CC for improved performance

Adobe has released a significant update to Bridge CC, its venerable file management program. Where Photoshop and Lightroom have seen multiple incremental updates over the past few years, Bridge has been left somewhat alone. That all changes today with multiple improvements including improved cache management, and an option to import images from external devices including iOS and Android mobile devices. Read more

Sony Xperia Z5 camera review

Sony's Xperia Z5 produces noticeably improved image quality compared to its predecessors.

February 8
Fujifilm X-E2 firmware 4.00 brings X-E2S features and interface

Fujifilm has released its promised firmware update for its X-E2 mid-range mirrorless camera. The firmware update adds a host of feature and operational improvements, bringing it into line with the X-E2S. The improvements include the AF upgrades from the recent X-T models, as well as a revised user interface and multiple AutoISO settings. Read more

Pocketable APS-C: Fujifilm X70 real-world samples

Fujifilm's new X70 compact camera puts the 16MP APS-C sensor from the X100T into a much smaller body, omitting an EVF but adding a 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens and articulating touch-sensitive screen. The X70 is certainly one of the nicest compact cameras to look at, and its specifications are pretty impressive, but what kind of images can it produce? We spent the weekend shooting with a production-quality camera. See gallery

Phase One adds the IQ3 100MP back to its A-series system

Danish camera manufacturer Phase One has expanded its range of A-Series offerings to include the new 100MP IQ3 digital back. The A-Series kits consist of an Alpa 12TC camera body with one of three lenses and a choice of IQ3 backs in 50-, 60-, 80- and 100 megapixel resolutions. The A-Series is particularly interesting as the cameras have no mirror, so vibrations are kept to a minimum at the time of exposure. Read more

Fujifilm X-Pro2 release moved to early March

Last month, Fujifilm unveiled the X-Pro2 mirrorless camera with a February 18 release date. Per a statement issued late last week, the camera maker has postponed the release until early March due to an unspecified production delay and higher than anticipated global orders. Read more

Ready for its close-up: X-Pro2 defines a new era of video for Fujifilm

Video has previously been one of the great weaknesses of Fujifilm's X-Trans cameras but that's all changed with the X-Pro2. We've shot our test scene, pounded the streets of New York and captured all the visual clichés we could, to show you what the X-Pro2 can do. Read more

February 7
Tokyo Drifter: Editorial and commercial photographer Alfie Goodrich on working in Japan

First published in 1991 at the age of 23, portrait photographer Alfie Goodrich has been shooting primarily in Japan since 2007. His eye as a photographer as well as a fluency in both English and Japanese has brought him a diverse portfolio of commercial and editorial clients. He commands an impressive online following with a daily blog and popular Google+ page. See his work and find out more about him in our Q+A. Read more

February 6
Framing fashion with Dixie Dixon

At the age of 20, most people are just beginning to figure out what careers they want to pursue. Dixie Dixon got an early start in photography, so by 20 she had years of experience under her belt and a clear direction in mind – fashion photography. As New York prepares to host Fashion Week 2016 in a few days, we're re-visiting Dixon's PIX 2015 talk. Read more

February 5
Heavy hitter: Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM first shots

Sony has made some strong claims about its new G Master lens series. Unveiled earlier this week, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM is one of three in the lineup to make its debut. We had a few moments to shoot with the lens at Sony's press event in New York. Sharpness is impressive, as is the lack of axial chromatic aberration. Take a look at a handful of samples. Read more

Samyang adds 14mm and 35mm lenses to Xeen cinema system

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

 

GoPro to discontinue three cameras and exit entry-level market

This week, GoPro announced it will discontinue three of its six available action cameras and abandon the entry-level market. This follows the company's preliminary fourth quarter results showing poor holiday sales, leading to staff layoffs. Read more

February 4
Leica T firmware version 1.5 update adds Wi-Fi Direct feature

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

'We want to make lenses that can be used forever': Sony engineer discusses G Master lenses

'We want to make lenses that can be used forever,' says a senior engineer of Sony's new G master lenses. At the launch of the ‘G Master’ range of high end lenses, we spoke to Motoyuki Ohtake, Distinguished Engineer in Sony’s Lens Design Department about the process and the philosophy behind the latest lenses. Read the interview

Panasonic and Fujifilm reveal joint sensor development, offering global shutter

Panasonic claims that it has achieved 10x higher saturation (more than 3EV greater dynamic range) in a sensor using an Organic Photoconductive Film (OPF) developed by Fujifilm. In addition to greater dynamic range, the new sensor technology promises other benefits that should appeal to both photographers and videographers such as global shutter and more flexible lens design. Read more

Delayed: Nikon Japan pushes D500 to end of April

Nikon shooters have waited a long time for a D300S replacement, and it appears that they're going to have to keep waiting a little longer. Nikon Japan has released a statement pushing the D500's initial March release to late April 2016. Read more

Portrait time: Sample gallery from Sony's new 85mm F1.4 GM lens

After Sony showed off its a6300 and trio of new lenses, our staffers were able to grab an a7R II and start shooting. In this gallery we have a small selection of images taken with Sony's new 85mm F1.4 GM portrait lens. View the gallery

February 3
Hands on with Sony's a6300 and G Master lenses

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

Video: A quick look at the Sony a6300

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 a6300 videos show off tech that may challenge last remaining DSLR strongholds

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

Sony releases three premium 'G Master' lenses for FE-mount

Sony has created a new lineup of lenses for its full-frame cameras known as G Master (GM). These are the company's high-end lenses that sit above its 'G-series' lenses and, as you might imagine, command a premium price. The first three GM lenses include FE 24-70 F2.8, FE 85mm F1.4 and FE 70-200 F2.8. In addition to the lenses, Sony also released a pair of 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. Read more

Oh, wow... Sony announces 24MP a6300 with incredible AF and 8 fps live view bursts

Sony has introduced the long-awaited update to its popular a6000 mirrorless camera: the a6300. Featuring a newly developed 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor and a completely revamped AF system with 425 phase-detection AF points, the a6300 sits at the top of Sony's APS-C mirrorless lineup, and arguably addresses one of the biggest shortcomings of mirrorless by offering live view during 8 fps burst shooting. Click through for more details

February 2
Extreme made easy: GoPro HERO4 Session review

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

Nikon KeyMission 360 price and specs appear on retailer's website

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

Readers' Choice Awards 2015: The winners

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

X-Factor: Canon's EOS-1D X Mark II examined in-depth

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

Key features explained: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II

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

Canon announces flagship EOS-1D X Mark II full-frame digital SLR

Canon has announced its new flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X Mark II. Featuring a new 20.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel AF, dual DIGIC 6+ processors, improved AF and metering systems and 4K video capture, the Mark II is poised to be the camera that Canon-shooting professionals have been waiting for. Read more

February 1
Phottix announces next generation of Odin TTL flash controllers

Flash and accessory manufacturer Phottix has released details of the second generation of Odin flash controllers that will go on sale mid-February. The Odin II units, which allow wireless TTL control of hotshoe and portable studio flash units, will add two extra control groups and 28 additional channels to the radio trigger’s reach, and will make the user interface easier to handle. Read more

Behind the scenes at Fujifilm's factory in Sendai, Japan

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 R3 brings improved Raw editing on Android

Raw editing app Photo Mate for Android has received a comprehensive update.

Nikon apologizes for awarding prize to digitally altered photo

Last week, Nikon Singapore chose an image submitted by photographer Chay Yu Wei as the winner of a 'casual photo contest.' Critics quickly pointed out that the airplane featured in the image had been digitally inserted, given away by the highly visible white square around the plane's silhouette. Nikon and Yu Wei have both issued apologies over the submission. Read more

Design, looks and desire: Olympus does it again

You really can't tell whether a camera is any good just by looking at it, and most professionals won't base a buying decision on a camera's looks. So why have companies like Olympus and Fujifilm gone to great lengths to create such undeniably attractive cameras? The new Olympus PEN-F got DPR senior contributing writer Damien Demolder musing about the looks of cameras and the role they play in our photography. Read more