Nikon working on finger sensor able to understand photographer’s emotions, patent suggests

Nikon
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Nikon patent application 2017-143581 describes a camera with a finger sensor that can understand basic emotions of the photographer.

The sensors are built into the sides of lenses and on the front and back of a DSLR. The sensor can detect biometric information like the heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, perspiration, and also the pressure you put on the grip. From this data, a simple neuronal network (read basic AI) can get a hint about the photographer’s emotion and act accordingly.

Excerpt from the patent literature:

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which, while a viewer who views a photographed image can enjoy the photographed image more deeply if a photographer’s emotion at a time of photographing can be understood, how to enjoy such images cannot be realized with the conventional apparatus.
SOLUTION: The display device includes: an input unit for inputting biometric information of a photographer at a time of photographing an image; a display unit for displaying the image; and a processing unit for estimating an emotion at the time of photographing from the biological information of the photographer and processing an image to be displayed on the display unit on the basis of the estimated emotion.

Canon are you listening?

[via PP]

Amazon Prime Day started – Thousand of deals to choose from

Amazon Prime Day
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Amazon started Prime Day, a promotional event where Amazon Prime members can access a huge set of deals. Amazon Prime day last until July 18, 2018.

All Amazon branches are taking part in Prime Day:

Amazon US – Amazon Canada – Amazon Germany – Amazon UK – Amazon France – Amazon Italy – Amazon Spain

Please note: You have to be a prime member to grab the deals. Discounted price will be seen only at the time the deal starts. European customers can buy from any Amazon Europe store. US customers have to wait until 3pm EST.

Amazon Germany is offering:

Amazon Europe stores have deals on SanDisk memory cards:Amazon Germany, Amazon UK, Amazon France, Amazon ItalT and Amazon Spain.

More selected and exclusive deals…

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II First Look and Hand’s On Video Review

Canon EF 70-200mm F/4L IS II
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Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • One Fluorite Element and Two UD Elements
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Internal Focus, Focus Range Limiter
  • Weather-Sealed Construction
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Dustin Abbott posted a first look and hand’s on video on the new Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II lens. The video lasts 20 minutes and can be seen below.

The new Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is in stock at major retailers in the US, price is $1,299: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II world-wide:

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

Canon Store Summer Flash Sale on select items

Canon Store
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The Canon Store has a 2 days Summer Sale going on. Click here to see all discounted items.

Also, do not miss the listings of refurbished gear (that’s where the best deals are hidden):

Nikon set to announce their full frame mirrorless camera within a week?

Nikon Z 6 Mark Iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Nikon Rumors
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That’s what Nikon Rumors is reporting: Nikon might announce their first full frame mirrorless camera within a week.

They also got some information about pricing in Europe:

  • Nikon 45MP full frame mirrorless camera: €4,000 (around $4,670)
  • Nikon 24MP full frame mirrorless camera: €2,500 (around $2,900)

NR writes:

One possible (rumored) scenario is that 45MP Nikon mirrorless full-frame camera will be announced first (at the end of July) while the second 24MP Nikon mirrorless full-frame camera could be announced at Photokina. The shipping of at least one of the new Nikon mirrorless full-frame cameras is rumored to start at the end of August or in early September.

There is also a set of specifications for Nikon’s upcoming FF MILCs:

  • Two mirrorless cameras: one with 24-25MP and one with 45MP (48MP is also a possibility).
  • Similar body size to the Sony a7 camera but with better ergonomics and a better grip.
  • 5-axis in-body stabilization
  • 9fps
  • New mirrorless mount.
  • The new mirrorless mount will allow for f/0.95 lenses
  • Memory cards: XQD and CF Express
  • EVF resolution: 3.6MP
  • Initially, three lenses will be announced: 24-70mm, 35mm and 50mm (the 35 and 50mm could be f/1.4). There is also talk about a 24mm, but it may come later.
  •  Pricing:
    • The 45MP model will be around $4,000/€4,000 in a kit with the 24-70mm lens.
    • The 25MP model will be under $3,000/€3,000 (also with a lens).
  • The official announcement is rumored for the end of July (on or around July 23rd) and shipping shortly after (August 23rd).

All in all, the rumored specifications describe a very interesting camera. And Canon? For the time being everything surrounding Canon’s full frame mirrorless camera is a big mess.

What do you think? Is it possible that Nikon will announce their FF MILCs within a week?

Lots of Talk, Very Little Solid Information About Canon’s Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

Canon Rumors Canon Full Frame Mirrorless
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Recently we’ve learned that six different Canon cameras have leaked through certification authorities (see here and here). The only camera out of the bunch that we’re quite sure is coming this year, is the EOS M5 Mark II ahead of Photokina 2018 in September. Beyond that, everything is currently a bit messy.

Around the web, there are various contradicting reports about Canon’s full frame mirrorless camera, sometimes promoting the idea Canon will release two FF MILCs, sometimes not. Unfortunately, so far, we have been unable to confirm that Canon has two FF MILCs on their agenda. Good sources have said repeatedly to us that there would be just one full frame mirrorless camera to start with.

Now, rumors are rumors, and rarely a rumor has been abused as much as the Canon full frame mirrorless camera rumor. Not having any specifications to discuss, the only thing remaining so far is the announcement date. We all eagerly want to know when Canon will eventually release the FF MILC. Here too there are contradicting information about the announcement. Since registrations at wireless certification authorities happen many months before an actual announcement, it’s possible we have to take in account an announcement in 2019. If true, there is very little chance to get any real specifications in the next months. We will see a lot of guesses and speculations, though. And that besides all the clickbait crap we are unfortunately used to see and read.

Personally, and besides all the hints and rumors we get in our inbox, I’m starting to be more inclined to believe Canon will announce their first full frame mirrorless camera in Q1 2019. On the other hand, there are serious reports stating Nikon might announce their FF MILC very soon. If this is the case, I wonder if Canon will wait much longer to present their’s.

Btw, we can assure with a very high confidence that Canon’s full frame mirrorless camera will not have the same or a similar sensor as the EOS 5D Mark IV. The rumored resolution of 30MP lead some people to push the idea the sensor is closely related to the sensor in the 5D4. Unfortunately, this is a byproduct of the mess surrounding Canon’s full frame mirrorless camera rumor mill environment. Canon might be the most conservative company of the world, but for sure they are not so silly to launch a new product line with an old sensor.

At the end, we can not exclude we’ll have to wait for 2019 in order to see Canon’s full frame mirrorless camera. If so, get ready for a flooding of unreliable information. The most difficult thing for us is to discern the crap from what is true.

Stay tuned.