The Phoblographer reviewed the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC lens. This inexpensive, manual-focus tilt-shift lens is a good alternative to the brand-products. Optical quality is good, and if you can live with a manual focus lens (not really a problem on a TS lens), then the Rokinon is a valid alternative for those on a budget. They tested the Nikon-mount version, but did it using an EOS 5D Mark II through an adapter.
In the conclusion they write:
What this Rokinon has done is open the floodgates to the world of Perspective Control imagery for photographers that have otherwise avoided these magnificent lenses due to to the sheer cost of them. For instance, Canon’s mkII version of the 24mm f3.5L TS-E costs a whopping $2200, a full $1200 MORE than the Rokinon. When you consider what they have accomplished with their lens and delivered it for under $1k, I find that to be pretty astonishing personally. […] I have to say though, I am slightly conflicted over this lens. I think that it is a great opportunity for photographers who are new to tilt-shift photography to get into it, and for those of us on a budget it allows us to have a pretty decent lens for the price of entry.
Polish site Optyzcne (translated, source: FA) published (along with their review) what I think are the first non Canon produced, real world tests of the Dual Pixel CMOS Auto-Focus system of the new Canon EOS 70D. They used the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and Canon EF 100mm f 2.8L Macro IS USM lenses with different settings (see titles of the videos).
So far I have to say that I am fairly impressed with the high ISO performance of the EOS 70D sensor, see the crop I extracted from a ISO 3200 sample pic. The EOS 70D is the new leader of the pack in Canon’s APS-C line-up. That poses an interesting question: does a successor of the EOS 7D still have a reason to exist? In other terms: what features must the 7D Mark II have to top the EOS 70D? And what about the EOS 8D that showed up as a placeholder on Russian online seller fotoplus.su? More to follow.
Ok, samples first. Canon Japan (thanks Mark) published a page with sample images and videos (downloadable). The following crop is taken from a sample shot at ISO 3200.
Let’s go on with some consideration by DPreview about the EOS 70D’s sensor:
[…] on the inside it sports an entirely new sensor that is, potentially, revolutionary. It offers 20.2MP resolution, but uses a ‘Dual Pixel CMOS AF’ design in which every single pixel is split into two separately-readable photodiodes, facing left and right. This means that in principle they are all capable of phase detection autofocus in live view and movie mode.
Yes, the new sensor, and its AF capabilities, are the true innovation that Canon introduced with their latest prosumer/enthusiasts DSLR. Canon has long be criticised for their rather conservative approach to sensor technology. Having “only” 18MP on most of their recent APS-C DSLR was by some people interpreted as a inability to keep up with modern imaging technology. Now we know that Canon was quietly researching something that’s throughly innovative. If you want to have a deeper look into the Dual Pixel CMOS Auto-Focus system featured on the EOS 70D, have a look at this well made technical introduction by Canon itself. The technology behind the Dual Pixel CMOS AF is well explained also on this page of dpreview’s hands-on. About the AF system, they write:
So far we’ve only had our hands on a non-final EOS 70D for a relatively short time, but our initial impressions are pretty positive. With the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit zoom, the camera is clearly much faster and more decisive at focusing in Live View than any previous EOS – or indeed any other SLR.
The new AF system of the Canon EOS 70D is a great leap forward in sensor tech. So much that it will challenge the likes of Sony and the 4/3 consortium in general. This is the sensor that most probably will be featured on the EOS M2, and it is a game changer, hence the next Canon mirrorless system camera could be a game changer.
Canon also beefed up the 70D, compared to its predecessor, the EOS 60D EOS 60D (price & specs). For example, AF micro-adjustement has been introduced.
A behind the scenes that explains the Dual Pixel CMOS AF:
That’s all for the time being. If you like what I am doing here on Canon Watch, then consider pre-ordering your EOS 70D using one of the links below. It won’t cost you a penny more as usual, and I get a small commission that helps me to pay the bills at the end of the month.
Let’s start with the real game-changer featured on Canon’s new EOS 70D, the dual pixel Auto-Focus system. Canon has a good introductory article about the new AF, with videos and a list of compatible lenses. Canon’s press release for the EOS 70D is here, for the Dual PIxel AF here.
We’re also pleased to see Canon cramming in all the best features from its other cameras. The touchscreen interface that the 70D borrows from Canon’s Rebel series is, we think, just about the best in the business. It complements the new AF system in offering focus point selection by touch, along with the ability to ‘pull’ focus from one subject to another during movie recording simply by touching the screen. Meanwhile the on-board Wi-Fi offers genuinely useful features, including the ability to use your smartphone as a remote control (complete with live view), and to browse and rate your images on a tablet. These may not be features you use all the time, but they expand the possibilities of what you can do with the camera.
The Phoblographer had their hands on the EOS 70D, the reviewer says:
I like the way that Canon is going with the 70D. Though I’ve bashed them in the recent years, I like the direction that they’re going, the fact that they see other companies innovating and trying to fight back. The 70D seems like quite a camera for a news shooter, sports shooter, father, and for anyone looking to get more serious about their photography overall.
Next is Engadget, fairy impressed with the performance of the Dual Pixel AF:
There are other improvements as well, but they pale in comparison to the Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which is fully compatible with 103 EF lenses. That tech is likely to make its way to the rest of Canon’s lineup eventually, but if you want to take advantage now, there’s only one model in the world that includes it. As for other features, a boosted consecutive mode enables 7 fps captures, compared to just over 5 with the older model. There’s also a multi-shot noise reduction mode, which we often see on higher-end point-and-shoots, but rarely DSLRs
DigitalCamera Review liked the 20x zoom of the PowerShot SX 280 HS, and the excellent low noise levels (due to Canon’s conservative approach concerning sensor resolution). In the conclusion DigitalCamera Review writes:
The SX280 HS is a compact, well designed, sturdy, and easy to use point and shoot digital camera with a 20x zoom. Compared to its competition, the biggest difference would seem to be in the resolution arena with Canon sticking with a reasonable 12-megapixels.
[…]
The SX280 HS’s lower resolution sensor should record noticeably lower noise levels than its rivals […]
dpreview reviewed the GPS-enabled Canon PowerShot D20, a waterproof (and freezeproof and shockproof) compact camera. The D20 can go 10m/33ft deep, if you need to go further there is an optional housing. The camera’s specifications:
12.1MP Image Resolution
1/2.3″ High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
Waterproof, Freezeproof & Shockproof
5x Optical, 4x Digital Zoom
28-140mm Equivalent Lens
3.0″ Rear LCD Screen
DIGIC 4 Image Processor
HS System & Intelligent IS
Full HD 1080p Video Recording
Underwater Macro & GPS
In the conclusion preview writes:
The Canon PowerShot D20 is a capable compact camera that offers good photo quality (for its target audience), plenty of fun features and, of course, the ability to handle water, dust, cold, and the occasional impact. The fish-shaped body is made of a mix of metal and composite materials and is as solid as you’d expect from a rugged camera. The D20 is waterproof to 10m/33ft, shockproof from 1.5m/5ft, and freezeproof to -10C/+14F. It has two sealed compartments (one for the battery and memory card, the other for I/O ports), and they’re locked so tightly that you’ll never open them accidentally. We took the D20 in swimming pools and the ocean, and had no problems with leaks.
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