Canon EOS-1D X Mark II review (borderline-indestructible, DPReview)

Canon Eos-1d X Mark Ii
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Canon EOS-1D X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II at a glance:

  • 20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors
  • 3.2″ 1.62m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor
  • DCI 4K Video at 60 fps, 8.8MP Still Grab
  • 61-Point High Density Reticular AF II
  • Native ISO 51200, Expanded to ISO 409600
  • 14 fps Shooting, 16 fps in Live View
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF

DPReview published their Canon EOS-1D X Mark II review, Canon’s new flagship DSLR. There is a lot the reviewer have to say about this “borderline-indestructible” camera. From the conclusion:

The EOS 1D X Mark II is a worthy successor to Canon’s 1D series of professional cameras. It gains an improved AF system with greater coverage, significantly improved dynamic range, and a virtually limitless Raw buffer when shooting with CFast cards. Additionally, the camera now includes top notch 4K video with beautiful color straight out of the camera. When combined with Canon’s class leading dual-pixel AF system for video, it’s easy to get great video without being an expert. This is a camera that sports, action, and event photographers will love.

About image quality:

Canon has been making strides in its sensor technology, resulting in markedly increased dynamic range at low ISO values compared to its predecessor

Guess this is what you expect from Canon’s top of the line DSLR, which btw sells at $5,999, and that isn’t exactly anyones budget.

eos-1d x mark ii

[via DPReview]

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM hands-on reviews and sample pictures

Ef-m 28mm F/3.5 Is Stm Macro
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Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • EF-M Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 44.8mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/3.5
  • One UD Element & Two Aspherical Elements
  • STM Stepping AF Motor
  • Hybrid IS Image Stabilization
  • Maximum Magnification: 1.2x
  • Super Macro Setting for 3.7″ Min. Focus
  • Built-In Macro Lite LED
  • Retractable Design for Compact Profile

The Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM appears to fly a bit under the radar. But what looks like a rather “meh” lens (given a slow f/3.5) may turn out to be much cooler than most people thinks. It’s also the first maco lens for the EOS M system.

The EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM has a retractable design, built-in led lights, it’s image stabilized, and it has a 1:2 super-macro mode. So, it’s not just another 28mm lens with a slow aperture. Last but not least: it comes at an affordable price (under $300).

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM hands-on review at DPReview

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM Real world sample pictures at DPReview

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM sample picture by Dustin Abbott

Below: Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM | First Look and Features

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II review (Camera Labs)

Powershot G7 X Mark II
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Powershot G7 X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • 20.1MP 1″ CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 7 Image Processor
  • 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-f/2.8 Lens
  • 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Tilting LCD Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
  • Expanded ISO 25600, Up to 8 fps Shooting
  • Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
  • Manual Control Ring, Time Lapse Movie

Camera Labs reviewed the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II, a powerful, enthusiasts-oriented compact camera with a large sensor and a pretty rich feature set. As with all reviews I saw so far, this one too is very positive about the Powershot G7 X Mark II.

From the conclusion:

Superficially the G7 X Mark II may seem similar to its predecessor, but Canon’s made a number of useful enhancements which make it a much more compelling camera overall. The body is essentially the same size with the same control layout as before, but the addition of a grip on the front makes it much more comfortable to hold. The lens may share the same 4.2x / 24-100mm range and f1.8-2.8 focal ratio, but there’s now an Auto ND filter option for stills and the chance to de-click the lens ring for smooth or stepped adjustments – great for stills and movies. As before the lens is a little soft in the corners at 24mm, especially when focusing close, but the optical quality quickly improves as you zoom-in. The screen may be the same size with the same well-thought-out touch interface, but as well as tilting up to face the subject, it’ll now also tilt down for easier composing at high angles. Meanwhile the camera can now be charged over USB, although Canon still supplies an AC battery charger if you prefer. Read the review…

The review comes with a large set of sample pics and discusses all aspects of the Powershot G7 X Mark II. The videos below may also give you an idea of what the Powershot G7 X Mark II can deliver.

powershot g7 x mark iiPowershot G7 X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via Camera Labs]

Canon EOS 5Ds R review (do you need 50MP?)

Eos 5ds R
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Canon EOS 5Ds R: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • 50.6 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with ISO 100-6400 (Lo: 50 and H1: 12,800) sensitivity range
  • Low-pass cancellation filter for maximum sensor resolution
  • Dual DIGIC 6 Processors for outstanding image processing speed and camera responsiveness
  • 5 frames per second (fps) with selectable burst speeds and silent shutter mode
  • 61-point wide area AF with 41 cross-type sensors with iTR, AI Servo AF III and AF Configuration tool
  • 150k pixel RGB+IR metering sensor. 100% magnification Intelligent Viewfinder II with electronic overlay
  • 1.3x, 1.6x and 1:1 ratio crop modes with masked viewfinder display
  • Mirror Vibration Control System to reduce mirror vibration blur
  • Fine Detail Picture Style. CF + SD (UHS-I) dual memory card slots
  • Peripheral Illumination and Chromatic Aberration Lens Correction in camera
  • Multiple Exposure and HDR mode. Customisable Quick Control screen
  • Built-in timer functionality – bulb timer and interval shooting timer
  • Time-lapse Movie function
  • SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for high-speed tethering and image/movie transfer
  • 150,000 shutter cycle life.

Photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott posted his review of the Canon EOS 5Ds R. As usual with Abbott’s review, it’s a “real world” look on gear. And since we are talking about Canon’s high-resolution champion, the obvious answer he is trying to answer is “do you need 50MP?”.

You may watch the video below for the full review.

You may also go for the written review. The review discusses any aspect of the EOS 5Ds R, comes with many sample pics, and a lot of useful information for those who are on the fence about the EOS 5Ds R. From the conclusion:

The reality is that some photographers will take better pictures with 50MP; others will take worse pictures. There’s a right and wrong way to employ that amount of resolution, and using it wrong will actually result in pictures that are more blurry or noisy. Either way expect more time spent in handling images. Ultimately the question of whether or not you need 50MP can only answered by you, but that is the key question. After spending more than a month with the 5DsR I’m still not sure of the answer for myself. After years of shooting professionally I’ve never yet had a client complain that my images weren’t “big enough” or lacked resolution. I can certainly see situations where I would enjoy having 50MP, and my time with the 5DsR has convinced me that it is just a good camera, period…but so is the 5D3. Anecdotal evidence from many 5Ds/R shooters is that they have come to love the camera for more than just the 50MP, while others concluded that it was overkill for their purposes and went back to something else. And that is the conundrum of the 5DsR. It is a great camera, but it is also a niche one. If you need 50MP, it’s not only the best 35mm option; it’s currently the only one. Read the review…

It looks Canon definitely made a foray into the medium-format domain.

There are more videos coming with the review. The first video below discusses design, features and specifications of the EOS 5Ds R, the second one analyses the pros and cons of a 50MP camera.

Canon EOS 5Ds R: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

eos 5ds

Interview with the people who made the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II

Powershot G7 X Mark II
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Powershot G7 X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • 20.1MP 1″ CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 7 Image Processor
  • 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-f/2.8 Lens
  • 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Tilting LCD Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
  • Expanded ISO 25600, Up to 8 fps Shooting
  • Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
  • Manual Control Ring, Time Lapse Movie

The Canon Professional Network posted a long interview with the engineers who are behind the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II development.

From the interview:

Q: Have any other improvements to image quality been made?

Kota Terayama: Correction of diffraction blurring, even for a small aperture, has been added. DIGIC 7’s high-speed processing performance is used along with optical information for compensation. Be sure to experience this for yourself, especially in dynamic landscape shots and performance shooting!

Hideaki Yamaki: Also, the EOS Auto Lighting Optimizer (ALO) is included on this model for the first time on a compact digital camera. As the first model to be equipped with DIGIC 7, one feature of this camera is even more advanced ALO performance than on the EOS M3 mirrorless compact. This makes it possible to compensate the brightness while maintaining contrast, making it the perfect feature for photographing people in backlit scenes. Read the interview at Canon Professional Network…

The Powershot is getting many positive reviews, click here to see al our Powershot G7 X Mark II coverage.

Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II review (DPReview)

Powershot G7 X Mark Ii
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Powershot G7 X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • 20.1MP 1″ CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 7 Image Processor
  • 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-f/2.8 Lens
  • 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Tilting LCD Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
  • Expanded ISO 25600, Up to 8 fps Shooting
  • Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
  • Manual Control Ring, Time Lapse Movie

It seems Canon hit the mark with the Powershot G7 X Mark II. This little yet powerful compact camera featuring a 1″ sensor and a fast lens, gets remarkable reviews. DPReview‘s review is one of the more critical reviews I saw. In the conclusion they write:

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the PowerShot G7 X Mark II is that Canon listened to its customers (and maybe some camera reviewers) and dealt with a large number of the problems that people had with its predecessor. Whether it’s something cosmetic like the new grip or noticeably better burst shooting, the G7 X II is what the original should’ve been back in 2014.

[…]

Overall, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II is one of the best cameras in this class, though its JPEG image quality and below average battery life keep it from earning our top award. Read the review…

Powershot G7 X Mark II

Powershot G7 X Mark II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA