Canon Releases Photo Culling App With Artificial Intelligence (iOS only so far)

Photo Culling
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Canon has released an app for the most indecisive photographers out there: the new Canon Photo Culling app. 

Currently available on Apple iOS, the Canon Photo Culling app uses Canon’s new AI known as PHIL (Photography Intelligence Learning) to help determine your best photos based on scores against four models: sharpness, noise, emotions and closed eyes. The app will also suggest deleting duplicative photos. Whether you’re looking to trim down your photo gallery to save precious space on your phone or just trying to find the best of the best, Canon’s Photo Culling app will make your photo management a better experience.

Available for download via the App Store, the Photo Culling app has two subscription options: $2.99 per month or $14.99 for the year, each with a three-day trial. For more information, please visit, usa.canon.com/photo-culling-app.

Canon press release:

Need a Digital Photo Assistant? Canon U.S.A. has you Covered with the Company’s First-Ever Photo Culling App

Canon Also Publicly Debuts “PHIL,” the Company’s Computer-Vision Artificial Intelligence Engine

MELVILLE, NY, February 11, 2021– According to a recent report from Keypoint Intelligence, 1.4 trillion photos were taken worldwide in 2020 and 7.4 trillion images were stored1. With these staggering numbers, it could be overwhelming for the average consumer to decide what photos are best to keep and store. Delivering expert photo advice in the form of an app, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announces its Photo Culling app. Compatible with iOS devices2, this brand-new app helps determine a user’s best photos based on scores against four models: sharpness, noise, emotions and closed eyes, using Canon’s Computer Vision Artificial Intelligence Engine known as “PHIL” (abbreviated for Photography Intelligence Learning) 3. Additionally, the app will suggest deleting duplicative photos, making it easy for the consumer to free up space on their smartphone.

“In today’s ever-changing and overwhelming world, where thousands of photos are captured and stored in a person’s smartphone, consumers need an expert, reliable and intuitive photo tool to help them decide the best photos based on years of trusted knowledge and technology,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging Technologies & Communications Group of Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon U.S.A.’s new Photo Culling App is the answer and we are proud to see how the company’s Computer Vision technology within this app can assist consumers with finding and keeping their best photos of their fondest moments.”

The Photo Culling app features two culling options:

  • Whole Culling: Determines the best photos based on the absolute best scores against the four models: sharpness, noise, emotions and closed eyes. If the score is over the threshold the user sets, the photo is considered to be the best. The remaining images would be suggested as deletions.
  • Similar Culling: Determines the best photos based on score comparison among a similar group of photos. The highest-scoring photos within the group are considered the best photos. A second photo may also be selected as the second-best photo within the group. The remaining images would be suggested as deletions. The app is also able to find similar photos and group them together. For example, If a user selects 10 photos of a dog and 10 photos of a sunset, it will break the photos into two groups and find the best photo of each; one of the dog and one of the sunset.

In addition to its culling options, the Photo Culling app also features:

  • Photo Counts and Storage: Shows the number of photos a user has as well as the amount of phone storage on the Home Screen
  • Event Album: Categorizing and placing photos in albums on the Home Screen. These are dynamic albums based on events/date throughout the year and the app will pull events that have a large number of photos and suggest the user review these photos to delete and save space
  • Features in the Setting Screens: Displaying the number of photos deleted, the current subscription plan (see details below), option for notifications, parameter setting for each score against sharpness, noise, emotion and closed eyes. Users also can adjust these settings, such as changing how much of an impact noise has on a photo versus closed eyes4
  • Dark and Light Mode Settings Screen Option: Displays screens either as a dark or light mode option

Sony Alpha 1 vs Canon EOS R5 Image Quality Comparison

Sony Alpha 1 Vs Canon EOS R3
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Here is a rather interesting Sony Alpha 1 vs Canon EOS R5 comparison, under examination is the image quality.

Coming from well known reviewer Gordon Laing, the Sony Alpha 1 vs Canon EOS R5 comparison video below goes down deep into pixel peeping to establish which camera delivers the better photo quality.

More Sony Alpha 1 coverage is listed here, for the Canon EOS R5 see here. More comparison reviews are listed here.

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Comparing The Impossible: Canon EOS-1D X II (20MP) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 (108MP)

Galaxy S21
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A comparison that is beyond comparing apples to pears. How do the 20.2MP Canon EOS-1D X Mark II compare with the 108MP Samsung Galaxy S21?

Coming from Kevin Raposo, the short video below looks to how Canon’s previous flagship DSLR, compares to Samsung’s last generation smartphone. The EOS-1D X Mark II is currently selling at $4,499, the Galaxy S21 starts at $699. The comparison is made for fun, as Kevin points out:

Galaxy S21 Ultra pictures are completely unedited, aside from light cropping. They were shot in .jpg format using the native camera software, using various modes (including ‘pro’ mode, night mode, and portrait mode).

Canon 1DX Mark II pictures were shot in .cr2 format, lightly cropped and processed to match the colors of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, then exported in .jpg format. Examples of ‘light processing’ would include adding +20 to the shadows or slight white balance adjustments. No clarity, tone curves, or anything more significant.

Why did I lightly edit the Canon 1DX Mark II pictures instead of the Galaxy S21 Ultra pictures? Because the highly compressed .jpg images coming out of the Galaxy S21 Ultra would probably have fallen apart if I tried to push the color as much as I did with the Canon 1DX Mark II.

A reminder: this comparison is FOR FUN, meant to demonstrate a bit more about how megapixels actually work, and NOT meant to be highly technical or serious.

[via DPReview]

Hot Deal: ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 25mm/T2.9 Cine Lens – $1990 (reg. $3990, today only)

ZEISS Compact Prime
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Today only (02/10/21) B&H Photo DealZone has a $2000 discount (50%) on the ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 25mm/T2.9 Cine Lens (EF mount).

At a glance:

  • Interchangeable Mount
  • First Cine Lens w/DSLR Mount Option
  • Full Frame 35mm Coverage
  • Calibrated Lens Scales
  • 14-Blade Iris
  • Lightweight
  • Markings in Feet

Get the ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 25mm/T2.9 Cine Lens (EF mount) on sale at $1,990. Compare at $3,990.

Hand-picked deals are listed here.

Deal pages:

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals to be found here)

Save $10 on Luminar 4 and/or Aurora HDR 2019 and/or Luminar AI using our code “WATCH” at checkout.

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Deal: Delkin Devices 2TB CFexpress POWER Memory Card – $749 (reg. $999, today only)

2TB CFexpress
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Today only (02/09/21) B&H Photo DealZone has a $250 discount on the Delkin Devices 2TB CFexpress POWER Memory Card.

At a glance:

  • 2TB Storage Capacity
  • PCIe 3.0 x4 Bus
  • Max Read Speed: 1730 MB/s
  • Max Write Speed: 1540 MB/s
  • Records 5.9K, DCI 4K, and Full HD Video
  • Records High Frame Rates
  • Captures Continuous Still Images Bursts
  • Water / Magnet / X-Ray / Shockproof
  • Anti-Static and UV-Guarded
  • Can Withstand Extreme Temperatures

Get the Delkin Devices 2TB CFexpress POWER Memory Card on sale at $749.99. Compare at $999.99. The $250 discount is applied in cart.

Hand-picked deals are listed here.

Deal pages:

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals to be found here)

Save $10 on Luminar 4 and/or Aurora HDR 2019 and/or Luminar AI using our code “WATCH” at checkout.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Canon Unveils New Speedlite Trasmitter Canon ST-E3-RT (version 2)

Canon ST-E3-RT
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Canon released a new Speedlite transmitter, the Canon ST-E3-RT (version 2).

At a glance:

  • Wireless Rear Curtain Synchronization
  • 5 Groups or 15 Speedlites, Range: 98.4′
  • 8 Custom Functions, 3 Personal Function
  • LCD Information Panel, Backlit Controls

Preorders for the Canon ST-E3-RT (version 2) are available at $299 at B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Canon press release:

Canon updates its popular Speedlite Transmitter, with the new ST-E3-RT(Ver.2)

London, UK, 04 February 2021 – Canon Europe today announces the ST-E3-RT(Ver.2) – an update of the popular ST-E3-RT transmitter. Enabling wireless flash synchronisation and multiple control of Speedlites – positioned up to 30m away – this new transmitter gives professionals greater creative freedom in both a studio and natural environment. It supports key features of the recently introduced Speedlite EL-1 and also enables new capabilities when using previously launched RT Speedlites – including wireless (radio) second-curtain synchronisation.

Other new features of the ST-E3-RT(Ver.2) include support for the Speedlite EL-1’s low-power 1/8192 micro flash, and for photographers who use manual flash, the transmitter boasts a new FE Memory mode.

High-quality, flexible capture

Through introducing radio wireless transmission and second-curtain synchronisation, the ST-E3-RT(Ver.2) releases the flash at the end of a long exposure. As a result, it helps photographers produce natural looking images when capturing moving subjects. The ST-E3-RT(Ver.2) offers this feature as a new wireless option, giving users flexibility in a range of shooting scenarios.

When shooting with a large aperture and/or high ISO speed, the flash level can often overpower the subject and scene. This forces the photographer to change settings or set up, ultimately losing the look they desired. When partnered with the Speedlite EL-1, the transmitter’s 1/8192 micro flash adds beautifully subtle nuances of light without disrupting the atmosphere and ambient light reflected on set. This feature is perfect for fashion and portrait photographers looking to capture scenes with a natural atmosphere.

Building on the original transmitter’s flexible qualities, the ST-E3-RT (Ver.2) supports FE Memory – offering a quicker and more convenient manual flash set up. Alleviating the need for multiple test shots, professionals now have the option to perform an initial shot in E-TTL mode, capturing the E-TTL flash settings. Users can then switch the Speedlites to manual flash to allow for manual adjustments where needed – all whilst retaining the original E-TTL settings.

Maximising product life span

Canon Europe plans to offer a chargeable service update for existing ST-E3-RT users to include the new additional features and capabilities of the ST-E3-RT (Ver.2). Further information and dates of this service update will be announced later.