Why Do DSLRs Still Sell Better Than Mirrorless Systems?

Amateur Photographer investigated the reasons why DSLRs are still more popular than mirrorless cameras. They found the following reasons:

  • Smaller cameras are fiddly to use compared to DSLR
  • Confusing category names
  • Consumer are still hanging on to the glory days of Canon and Nikon (in the USA and also in Europe)
  • DSLR has wider range of accessories.
  • Low bugdget DSLR compete against system cameras
[found at mirrorlessrumors]

Canon Announces New Firmware for Cinema Cameras and Camcorders (and C300 gets Dual Pixel AF)

Firmware for Cinema Cameras
Canon EOS C300

Canon press release:

Canon Announces New Firmware Updates for Cinema Cameras and Camcorders Along with Optional Cinema EOS C300 Camera Dual Pixel AF Upgrade

Announcements Include a New Canon RC-V100 Remote Control and Firmware Updates for Peripheral Illumination Correction Support and Continuous Recording for EOS C100 Video Camera

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 24, 2014 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced a variety of performance updates for cameras in its Cinema EOS and XF professional camcorder line. Announced today is a new optional feature upgrade for the EOS C300 Cinema camera which will support Canon’s innovative Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus (AF) technology and enable continuous autofocusing with the entire line of Canon EF lenses and optimized for Canon’s stepping motor (STM) line of lenses when used with the EOS C300 camera. This optional feature upgrade is expected to be available in May 2014 for a cost of $500.00 and will require the EOS C300 camera body to be shipped to an authorized Canon service center for installation.

In addition to the optional feature upgrade for the EOS C300 camera, Canon has also announced the new RC-V100 remote control for Cinema EOS cameras and the XF Series professional HD camcorders; a firmware update that allows for Peripheral Illumination Correction when using the Canon CN-E35mm T1.5 L F Cinema prime lens or the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM telephoto zoom lens with the EOS C500, EOS C300, or EOS C100 cameras and a Continuous Recording function for the EOS C100 Digital Video Camera to help ensure capture of crucial shots in unpredictable situations, such as wedding/event videography, documentary, news, or wildlife production.

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Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens Hands-On At CP+ (and some new tidbits)

The video by YouTube user PhotoNewsReviews shows a brief hands-on with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens at CP+.

You probably know that Sigma aims at the [shoplink 16664]Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4[/shoplink] with the with the 50mm f/1.4 Art lens, no less. Certainly a bold claim, but given Sigma’s recently released, awesome lenses, this is a claim we should take seriously. The [shoplink 14551]Sigma 18-35m f/1.8 Art[/shoplink] (see coverage here) and the [shoplink 8892]Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM[/shoplink] (see coverage here) are good examples of recent, excellent lenses made by Sigma.

The new tidbit we have is the weight of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4: 815 g/28.7 oz. That’s a bit less than the Zeiss 55mm (Canon mount: 1,030 g/36.3 oz) and way heavier than other 50mm f/1.4 lenses. Not a light-weighted lens, but also a sophisticated lens form an optical point of view.

A few weeks ago there was a leak on an Australian retailer, showing the (suggested) price for the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens: AU$ 1,499, about US$ 1,345.

[via Sigma Rumors]

Sigma 50mm f/1.4