Canon Unveils The PowerShot Zoom, A Crowdfunded Concept Camera (100-400mm)

Powershot Zoom

It’s the season of the concept cameras, apparently. Canon unveiled the PowerShot Zoom, a concept camera with an unusual form factor.

A prototype of the PowerShot Zoom was presented a year ago by Canon. Now, here it is, crowdfunded on Japanese Makuake. The PowerShot Zoom will be available only in Japan for the time being.

Some specifications are available:

  • CMOS image sensor 12.1mp 1/3″
  • 10fps
  • ISO 100-3200
  • 100-400mm f/5.6-6.3 IS
  • 800mm digital zoom
  • 1080p at 24fps
  • Face recognition AF
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • microSDXC card slot
  • USB-C
  • Weight: 144g (0.3lbs)
  • Price $300

[via Focus Numeriques]

Industry News: Sony Announced The Sony A7c, World’s Smallest FF MILC

Sony A7c

Sony announced the Sony A7c, touted as a concept camera, and the world’s smallest full frame mirrorless camera.

You can preorder the new Sony A7c starting $1,799 at B&H Photo and Adorama.

B&H Explora has an article about the Sony A7c.

Sony press release:

Sony Electronics Introduces Alpha 7C Camera and Zoom Lens, the World’s Smallest and Lightest(i) Full-frame Camera System

Sony Electronics – 09/15/2020

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2020 — Today, Sony Electronics Inc. announced several additions to an already impressive imaging lineup — the Alpha 7C full-frame camera (model ILCE-7C), the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 (model SEL2860) zoom lens and HVL-F28RM flash.

The Alpha 7C is the world’s smallest and lightestii full-frame body with uncompromising performance, featuring advanced AF (autofocus), high-resolution 4K videoiii capabilities and more. When paired with the world’s smallest and lightestiv FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 standard zoom lens, this versatile combination delivers an experience unlike any other, maximizing portability and versatility without sacrificing any of the power of full-frame imaging. The HVL-F28RM flash allows users to broaden their photo expressions with outstanding compactness, and an intelligent light intensity control linked to camera face detectionv.

“We are committed to creating the best tools possible, based on the needs of our customers,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics. “The new Alpha 7C camera and FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 zoom lens pack many of our most advanced imaging technologies in a brand new design that is the smallest and lightest full-frame camera and lens system in the world. This opens up a new world of possibilities for creators, giving them the uncompromised power of a full-frame system in the palm of their hand.”

New Alpha 7C: Uncompromised Full-frame Performance in a Compact Design
The new Alpha 7C combines Sony’s full-frame image quality, advanced AF capabilities and versatile video shooting functions in a stunningly light and compact design. The new camera features a 24.2MP (approx. effective) 35mm full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and BIONZ X™ image processing engine, offering high sensitivity, outstanding resolution, 15-stopvi wide dynamic range and high-speed image data processing. 

Measuring only 4.9 inches x 2.8 inches x 2.2 inches (124.0mm x 71.1mm x 59.7mm) and weighing just 18oz (509g)vii, the Alpha 7C is similar in size and weight to an APS-C cameraviii, with only 1 percent more weight than the Alpha 6600. The Alpha 7C achieves the world’s smallest and lightest compact bodyii through upgraded 5-axis in-body stabilization and shutter units, and the utilization of magnesium alloy monocoque construction, often used in the bodies of cars and aircraft. Even in this compact body, the Alpha 7C features a 5-stepix stabilization effect that allows for shooting snaps without a tripod. Moreover, despite the compact body, the high-capacity NP-FZ100 battery provides enough power for long shooting durations and to capture up to an industry-leadingx 740 imagesxi when using the LCD monitor, or 680 imagesxi when using the viewfinder.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Last Day: DxO Nik Collection 30% Off, Get It At $99 (reg. $149)

Nik Collection 3

DxO Nik Collection 3 is currently discounted by 30%, and you can still get it discounted.

Click here to get DxO Nik Collection with a 30% discount, that’s at $99.

Nik Collection 3 won an EISA award for “Best Product” in the photo software category, and is my favourite photo editor.

More hand-picked deals are listed here.

Today’s Gold Box and one day only deals at Amazon USAmazon DEAmazon UKB&H Photo, eBayAdorama.

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

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

Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R6 Astrophotography and High ISO Review

Canon Eos R5 Review 8k Video Firmware Updste

Here is a Canon EOS R5 vs Canon EOS R6 review for astrophotographers. High ISO performance is also reviewed.

Brent Hall takes the EOS R5 and EOS R6 out to photograph the milky way and to see how they performa at high ISO settings.

The EOS R5 seems to be highly regarded as a stills camera. In particular, the EOS R5 autofocus system seems to be huge leap forwards. More Canon EOS R5 review stuff is listed here, for the EOS R6 see here. User manual are available for download for the EOS R5 and the EOS R6. My opinion about the EOS R5 overheating hysteria is listed here.

Canon EOS R5 body and kits preorder links:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

CanonEOS R6body and kits preorder links:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Images Of Sony A7c Mirrorless Concept Camera Leak Ahead Of Announcement

Sony A7c

Sony is set to soon announce a new mirrorless camera, the Sony A7c, touted as a “concept” camera.

Images of the upcoming Sony A7c leaked over the web. There is also a set of rumored specifications, posted over at Sony Alpha Rumors:

  • Announcement Sept 15 at 2am London time
  • Similar Sony A7III specs with 24MP sensor
  • Same A7sIII fully articulating screen
  • Autofocus algorithm is the one from the A7sIII
  • 4k@30p
  • Body shape similar to the A6600 with EVF in the corner (note: it’s NOT a pop-up EVF)
  • IBIS
  • The camera will be marketed for vlogging
  • Battery is NP-FZ100
  • USB C
  • Single SD card slot
  • Mic-in and a headphone jack
  • Wi-Fi (11a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth
  • Price will be above A7III (2.100 Euro and 2399 Euro with kit lens)
  • Comes with a new collapsible 28-60mm f/4-5.6 lens

Friday Hacker Blogging: digiKam 7.1 Released, Fully Supports Canon CR3 Format

Digikam 7.1

The open source and free software digiKam 7.1 has been released. Full support for the Canon CR3 format has been added.

Release notes for digiKam 7.1 are here.

When you buy an expensive camera, such as the latest Canon devices, you should expect the image provided to be seriously pre-processed by the camera firmware and ready to use immediately. This is true for JPEG, but not RAW files, where the format changes for every new camera released, as it depends on the camera’s sensor data. This is also the case for the Canon CR3: the RAW format produced by this camera has required intensive reverse-engineering that the digiKam team cannot always support well. This is why we use the powerful Libraw library to post-process the RAW files on the computer. This library includes complex algorithms to support all kinds of different RAW file formats, including the Canon CR3.

You can download digiKam 7.1 for 64-bit or 32-bit systems from their website.

As usual you can use this post to discuss about whatever you want.