Breaking: Nikon Acquires Cinema Camera Maker RED

Nikon Z 6 Mark Iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Nikon Rumors

Nikon press release:

Nikon to Acquire US Cinema Camera Manufacturer RED.com, LLC

Accelerating Expansion in Professional Digital Cinema Camera Market

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) hereby announces its entry into an agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding membership interests of RED.com, LLC (RED) whereby RED will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nikon, pursuant to a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with Mr. James Jannard, its founder, and Mr. Jarred Land, its current President, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions thereunder.

Since its establishment in 2005, RED has been at the forefront of digital cinema cameras, introducing industry-defining products such as the original RED ONE 4K to the cutting-edge V-RAPTOR [X] with its proprietary RAW compression technology. RED’s contributions to the film industry have not only earned it an Academy Award but have also made it the camera of choice for numerous Hollywood productions, celebrated by directors and cinematographers worldwide for its commitment to innovation and image quality optimized for the highest levels of filmmaking and video production.

This agreement was reached as a result of the mutual desires of Nikon and RED to meet the customers’ needs and offer exceptional user experiences that exceed expectations, merging the strengths of both companies. Nikon’s expertise in product development, exceptional reliability, and know-how in image processing, as well as optical technology and user interface along with RED’s knowledge in cinema cameras, including unique image compression technology and color science, will enable the development of distinctive products in the professional digital cinema camera market.

Nikon will leverage this acquisition to expand the fast-growing professional digital cinema camera market, building on both companies’ business foundations and networks, promising an exciting future of product development that will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in film and video production.

Interview With Canon Execs At CP+ 2024 (R1 at Olympics?)

Nab 2023 Canon Eos R5 Mark Ii Canon Eos R8 CP+ 2024 Mark Ii Canon EOS Rf 24-50mm R6 Mark Ii Rf Mount Eos R6 Mark Ii Rf 300mm Rf 35mm Canon Eos R100 Rf 24mm F/1.8 Rf-s Canon Eos R7 Eos R100 Canon High Resolution Eos R R10 Eos C5 Canon Canon Eos R1 Eos R5c Canon Rf 16mm Rf 35mm F/1.2L EF Lenses Tilt-shift Lenses Rumor

French site Phototrend sat down with a bunch of Canon executives for an interview at CP+ 2024.

While the interview is in French, you can get all the content with a machine translation. Here are some of the discussed topics:

  • Canon plans to feature artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies in future cameras
  • Canon claims to have a 48% share in the global market of interchangeable lens cameras
  • There will be more RF-S lenses
  • Canon does not have any real plan to open the RF mount specifications to other manufacturers but there are non-disclosure agreements with other manufacturers regarding certain types of lenses and their positioning in the market
  • Third party lens manufacturer do not have the same access to camera functions as Canon lenses have, ergo: Canon lenses do perform better than third party lenses
  • Artificial Intelligence will come, and has the primary function to improve autofocus, to assist with subject recognition and with in-camera image processing (low light, noise, aberration corrections)
  • Global shutter doesn’t seem to come to consumer cameras any time soon
  • Canon has been asked many times about the EOS R1, the execs say, but they can not say when it will be released. However, this is the year of the Olympics and from what I got from the machine translated interview, some select photographers might testing the EOS R1 during the games.

For more head over to Phototrend.

Fujifilm X100VI Mirrorless Camera Announced

Fujifilm announced a new, cute looking little camera, the Fujifilm X100VI. Pre-order it at B&H Photo.

At a glance:

  • 40.2MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR Sensor
  • X-Processor 5 Image Processor
  • Fujinon 23mm f/2 Lens
  • 35mm Full-Frame Equivalent
  • 6-Stop In-Body Image Stabilization
  • 425-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System
  • Hybrid 0.66x OVF with 3.69m-Dot OLED EVF
  • 3.0″ 1.62m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • 20 Film Simulation Modes with REALA ACE

Fujifilm press release:

Fujifilm Debuts X100VI Mirrorless Digital Camera

X100VI’s iconic dial-based design and advanced technology includes new features for content creators of all types; special limited edition also announced in celebration of Fujifilm’s 90th anniversary

VALHALLA, N.Y., – FUJIFILM North America Corporation is pleased to officially announce the highly anticipated launch of FUJIFILM X100VI digital camera (“X100VI”, pronounced X100 Six), the newest model in the popular X100 Series. X100VI offers outstanding image quality in a compact, lightweight body, and features Fujifilm’s legendary color reproduction technology, which is best experienced through its revered Film Simulation modes, a feature, users have come to expect from all Fujifilm digital cameras, along with In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) and enhanced video capabilities.

“The viral popularity of our X100 Series cameras has shown us time and time again that making images is as tactile as it is technical,” said Victor Ha, vice president, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Electronic Imaging Division. “X100VI continues this tradition by bringing our most advanced imaging technology to an image-making experience that feels organic and familiar to creatives of all levels.”

Product Features 

•    X-Trans™ CMOS 5 HR and X-Processor 5 deliver high image quality and high performance
X100VI is equipped with the back-illuminated X-Trans™ CMOS 5 HR sensor1 with approximately 40.2 megapixels. The sensor has an impressive pixel structure that allows light to be efficiently captured compared to prior X100 Series cameras. Additionally, ISO 125, which on the previous X100V model was only an extended sensitivity option, is now available natively on the X100VI. With its fixed, 23mmF2.0 lens, X100VI delivers sharp, high-resolution images.

X100VI comes with 20 of Fujifilm’s popular Film Simulation modes, including the new REALA ACE mode, which applies a diverse range of distinctive tones to the user’s images. REALA ACE mode offers faithful color reproduction and high-contrast tonality, making it suitable for a wide variety of subjects and situations.

The camera incorporates an impressive autofocus (AF) prediction algorithm for reliable focusing, even when recording continuously-moving subjects. X100VI uses the subject detection AF X-Processor 5 to accurately track a range of subjects. Built using deep-learning AI technology, it can detect animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones2

•    Enhanced high performance to maximize X100VI’s range
X100VI is the first camera in the X100 Series to incorporate a 5-axis, in-body image stabilization function with up to 6.0 stops3, while generally maintaining the X100 Series’ characteristic compact size and lightweight, only having increased in weight by 1.52 ounces over the previous model.

The “Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder” allows the user to switch freely between the optical viewfinder (OVF) and the electronic viewfinder (EVF), pursuing the rangefinder style of photography that has been a hallmark of the X100 Series. The EVF is equipped with a high-resolution OLED panel with approximately 3.69 million dots, optimizing the immersive shooting experience.

The “Electronic Range Finder” (ERF) function allows a small EVF to be simultaneously displayed on the OVF. Using this feature, the photographer can view either the entire frame or the area of critical focus, increasing the capabilities of a standard optical viewfinder. The ERF function is highly convenient, especially for street photography.

X100VI is capable of 6.2K/30P movie recording, a first for the X100 Series. The camera is also equipped with a tracking AF function during movie recording to ensure high-quality content creation.

X100VI offers an accessory-free, native Camera to Cloud integration for Adobe’s Frame.io, which allows users to wirelessly connect any X100VI to an active internet connection, authenticate it to Frame.io, and automatically upload photos and videos just moments after they are created. This can drastically reduce the amount of time needed to reach the end of any post-production workflow. X100VI is the latest in Fujifilm‘s digital camera portfolio to integrate Frame.io’s Camera to Cloud technology, joining X-H2, X-H2S, and GFX100 II in offering the capability. 

•    Sophisticated, functional product design 
As with the prior model, aluminum is used for the top and bottom surfaces of the X100VI body. Aluminum, which features a high degree of malleability, is pressed and machined for crisp, clean edges, and the surface is finely blasted for a smooth texture. In addition, anodized aluminum is used on the camera surface to produce a high-quality finish.

X100VI’s ultra-thin tilt LCD monitor can be stored in a fully flat position, a design leveraged from the X100V. The stylish, integrated body design allows for a variety of shooting styles, from high to low angles. The shape of the grip has been fine-tuned to ensure a secure yet comfortable feel. The positions of the buttons on the back of X100VI have been designed to maximize ease of operation with the right hand, enabling extremely comfortable shooting while utilizing the viewfinder.

•    Wide variety of compatible accessories enhance X100VI’s capabilities 
Weather resistance is available for X100VI when the optional AR-X100 adapter ring (MSRP $49.99 USD/$50.00 CAD, available in silver and black) and the PRF-49 protection filter (MSRP $55.99 USD/$70.00 CAD) are used in conjunction with X100VI’s lens. This allows the user to continue making images in challenging weather conditions.

Fujifilm’s optional LH-X100 lens hood (MSRP $139.99 USD/$100.00 CAD, available in black and silver) is also compatible with X100VI. In addition to being lightweight and precisely crafted from machined metal, the hood is cleverly designed not to obstruct the field of view when looking through the viewfinder, thus achieving light-shielding performance.

Two separately offered FUJIFILM conversion lenses allow the user to change the focal length without changing the optical performance of X100VI, thereby enhancing the photographic field. WCL-X100 II (MSRP $349.95 USD/$450.00 CAD, available in silver and black) is a dedicated wide conversion lens that multiplies the fixed focal length by approximately 0.8x, converting it to 28mm (35mm format equivalent), while the TCL-X100 II (MSRP $349.95 USD/$450.00 CAD, available in silver and black) is a dedicated teleconversion lens for narrowing the field of view by multiplying the fixed focal length by approximately 1.4x, converting it to 50mm (35mm format equivalent).

Adding the separately offered, LC-X100V genuine leather case (MSRP $79.99 USD/$100.00 CAD) ensures the X100VI can be carried in style. The battery and the user’s memory card can be inserted and removed from the camera without the need to remove the camera from this case.

Limited Edition X100VI Units Also Announced
 
To celebrate Fujifilm’s 90th anniversary year in 2024, a special Limited Edition of 1,934 X100VI cameras will be made available by Fujifilm, worldwide. The Limited Edition camera body is engraved with the corporate brand logo from Fujifilm’s founding in 1934, and each unit bears a unique serial number. These numbered X100VI units are packaged in a special, soft-release box that includes a special strap and Fujifilm history cards. The Limited Edition X100VI units will be available in extremely limited quantities and vary depending geographical location. Please contact your local Fujifilm sales and marketing company to explore the opportunity to purchase the item in your area.

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Canon EOS 6D Mark II Has Been Discontinued

Canon EOS 6d Mark Ii

Please note: the original post mentioned the EOS R6 Mark II, that was obviously nonsense and a mistake.

It appears the Canon EOS 6D Mark II has reached end of life, at least what concerns the production.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II at a glance:

  • 26.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 7 Image Processor
  • 45-Point All-Cross Type AF System
  • Full HD Video at 60 fps; Digital IS
  • 3″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF
  • Native ISO 40000, Expanded to ISO 102400
  • 6.5 fps Shooting; Time-Lapse & HDR Movie
  • Built-In GPS, Bluetooth & Wi-Fi with NFC
  • Dust and Water-Resistant; SD Card Slot

Sources from Japan suggest that the EOS 6D Mark II is no longer produced. The EOS 6D Mark II is still available at major resellers, though.

Our Canon EOS 6D Mark II coverage is listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Claims To Be #1 Mirrorless Camera Brand In The US

Canon

Canon press release:

The Mirrorless Data is Clear: Canon is #1

MELVILLE, NY, February 8, 2024  –Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions is proud to announce they have solidified the #1 mirrorless camera brand position for a third year in a row in 20231 and was the #1 mirrorless camera brand in the U.S. in 20232.

Since the introduction of the EOS R system, Canon has continued its innovative product developments with cameras such as the EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R5 C, EOS R5 and EOS R8. The robust rolodex of cameras has options for the professional photographer on the sidelines of world-class sporting events, to portrait or wedding photographers looking to capture a moment of a lifetime and the family photographer who is documenting the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Canon mirrorless cameras have a place in the gear bags of any visual storyteller looking for high-quality images and video.

“The needs of our customers have always been at the forefront of our business at Canon and it’s why we have worked so hard to maintain a number one position within the industry,” said Brian Mahar, senior vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “I am proud of our team for not only achieving this great success, but for also empowering our visual storytellers.”

“Canon mirrorless cameras have impacted my business’s bottom line as well as my client experience. With the advancement of technology, I’m able to concentrate more on client interaction and higher quality production. I’ve seen an enhancement in my photography, my profit and client satisfaction.” Vanessa Joy, Canon Explorer of Light and award-winning wedding and brand photographer

To learn more about Canon’s EOS R system including RF lenses visit: https://www.usa.canon.com/cameras/eos-r-system

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† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

1 Source: Circana, Retail Tracking Service, U.S. unit sales, 12 months ending December 2021, 2022, and 2023

Source: Circana, Retail Tracking Service, U.S. unit sales, 12 months ending December 2023

Are These The Nikon Z 6 Mark III Specifications?

Nikon Z 6 Mark Iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Nikon Rumors

The same user that posted a much reposted set of alleged Canon EOS R1 specifications, posted a set of alleged Nikon Z 6 Mark III specifications.

Coming from Weibo, here are the suggested Nikon Z 6 Mark III specifications. They are machine translated and partly manually corrected. The [?] means I have no idea what it means. Suggestions welcome.

  • Accelerated FX picture 24.5 Megapixels BSI CMOS Sensor
  • EXPEED 7 processor
  • Same form factor as the Z 8
  • Easy-to-use multi-angle LCD screen, bright EVF
  • Optimized ergonomics
  • 7 stops IBIS, better than Z f optimised video stabilisation
  • Pixel displacement high resolution photography [?]
  • Double data flow AF system, updated focus algorithms and methods, better AF than Z f and Z 8
  • FX picture with the highest 40fps electronic shutter consecutive shot with 120fps DX picture electronic shutter
  • 6K/60p & 4K/120p 12Bit N-RAW recording
  • 4K H.265 10Bit MOV video, which can be a FX picture of 6K after sampling 4K, or a DX picture with a maximum of 120p.
  • 4K ProRes 422 HQ 10 MOV video, up to 4K/60p
  • Fine quick door corner options, project frame rate and shooting frame rate split [?]
  • Two card slots supporting CFexpress B, SD UHS-II
  • Support WiFi 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth LE connection