November 8th, 2011 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, News
During the IFA show in Berlin in August, we reported that Panasonic had developed a twin-lens 3D digital camera. And now they’ve announced its concrete existence. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 features two newly developed 25mm wide angle 4x optical zoom lenses with “folded optics design,” which have the capability of capturing 8-megapixel 3D still images and 1920×1080 3D HD video. “Additionally, the two-lens design allows users to record photo or video in different angles of view simultaneously,” according to the manufacturer. The 3D1 also gives you the option to shoot 12MP 2D still images and 2D full HD video.
The Lumix 3D1 will be available for a suggested price of $499 in December. More from Panasonic below.
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October 18th, 2011 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, News
Canon announced today the EOS-1D X—the company’s new flagship DSLR, which they’re calling “a high-speed multimedia juggernaut.” The model will replace both the 1Ds Mark III and the 1D Mark IV in the EOS lineup. So what makes the 1D X worthy of being called a juggernaut? Maybe the fact that the new “completely revolutionized” camera features three image processors, including Dual DIGIC 5+ processors, which Canon says are “capable of delivering approximately 17 times more processing speed than DIGIC 4,” though it also features a DIGIC 4 for metering and AF control. And speaking of AF, the 1D X includes a new 61-Point High Density Reticular AF, “the most sophisticated DSLR AF system Canon has ever released.” All AF functions can be accessed quickly via their own menu tabs, and you can create customized settings of tracking sensitivity with the new AF Configuration Tool. For those photographers who’d like input on AF settings, it comes with a built-in Feature Guide to recommend settings based on subject matter.
The 1D X features a brand new 18-megapixel full frame CMOS image sensor, which Canon says produces the lowest noise of any EOS digital camera so far. The sensor uses pixels that are “1.25 microns larger than those in the EOS-1D Mark IV sensor and .55 microns larger than those in the EOS 5D Mark II sensor”, in addition to gapless microlenses, to achieve high sensitivity for those clean captures. The camera’s ISO range is adjustable from ISO 100 to a whopping ISO 51,200 within standard range, and can be expanded to 102,400 and 204,800, which Canon says are “ideal for law enforcement, government or forensic field applications.” So, there’s that, if you’re in the habit of shooting in those conditions.
The 1D X is also Canon’s first EOS DSLR to feature Multiple Exposure capability, combining up to nine separate shots into a single image, in-camera—viewed in real time on the LCD monitor—speeding up your post-processing work, at least what’s usually required to remedy exposure problems. The 1D X records full HD video at 1080p, like its predecessors, but now notably features automatic splitting of movie files when a single file exceeds 4GB, allowing for continuous video recording up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds across multiple 4GB files. This was an upgrade requested by documentary filmmakers who’ve previously worked with Canon DSLRs. Another request from Canon shooters was to include dual card slots for instant image back-up and more storage capacity, and the 1D X delivered.
The Canon EOS-1D X is scheduled to be available in March 2012 and will be sold body-only at an estimated price of $6,800.00. See the full press release below.
click thumbnails to enlarge
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August 31st, 2011 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, IFA, News
IFA Berlin—Panasonic announced today the development of a twin-lens 3D compact digital camera with 3D High Definition video capability. The camera is called Lumix 3D, and the prototype is on display right now at IFA Berlin. The camera will shoot both 2D and 3D still images and HD and 3D HD videos. Remember when we recently reported that Samsung was looking into two-lens technology for a compact camera to help with depth of field?
According to Panasonic, “The LUMIX 3D camera’s compact size was achieved by employing two recently-developed 4x zoom lenses with thin, folded optics, which allow users to capture crisp and clear photo and video footage even from afar.”The camera is expected to be available in winter 2011/2012. See the full press release below.
Look for an upcoming hands-on look at the LUMIX 3D from our reporter on the ground in Berlin!
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Tags: 3D, announcements, Cameras, compact, HD, IFA, IFA2011, News, Panasonic, Panasonic LUMIX 3D, twin-lens, two lenses | 2 Comments »
August 2nd, 2011 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, News
Vimeo—the favorite online video hosting site of creative videographers and independent filmmakers—has announced a new service called Vimeo PRO. “Vimeo developed its PRO account, which will exist as a separate service outside of the Vimeo.com community, based on demand for a cost-effective video-hosting service equipped with core features that meets the growing needs of small businesses,” says Vimeo. Meaning, it is not an upgrade to the Vimeo Plus account but an entirely separate entity. Features of the PRO account include: portfolios to showcase videos and services (with SEO), no bandwidth caps or time limits, brandable video player, third-party video player support (if you’d like to go in that direction), and unlimited High Definition uploading. Visit Vimeo PRO for all the details on the new service, and to see if it might be a good idea for your creative (or not!) small business.
May 20th, 2011 by Digital Photographer Posted in Camera Reviews, E.V.I.L. Cameras, Panasonic Lumix GH2
Panasonic Lumix GH2 Review
Text, Photos and Video by Jason Thompson
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is the updated version of its predecessor, the GH1. While still utilizing the same Micro Four Thirds system (see more about Micro Four Thirds here), this new generation camera boasts several upgrades. Panasonic redesigned the image sensor, increasing the maximum resolution to 16.05-megapixels. The GH2 also has a slightly faster contrast based auto focus, as well as a touchscreen display. The one touch video button allows for instant switches to and from High Definition video recording mode. The combination of Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds system and Electronic View Finder allow the GH2 to maintain a very lightweight form. Even when combined with the 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 kit lens (with silent drive focusing) that I tested it with, this mirrorless camera maintains an overall weight below many in its class. The GH2 lens mount is also compatible with the 3D Lumix G 12.5mm f/12 3D-capable lens.
Panasonic Lumix GH2: click thumbnails to enlarge
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