The big news about the Leica M-D (Typ 262) is what it doesn’t have. It does not have autofocus. It does not provide through-the-lens viewing. And it’s not compatible with any zoom lens.
With a design philosophy that less technology means more creative freedom, the eagerly anticipated Leica M–D camera is now a reality. The 24–megapixel camera harkens back to the limited edition M60 we reviewed a couple years ago and is the first full production model in the digital M line without a rear LCD monitor.
Panasonic announced the Lumix DMC-GX85 this morning, a 16-megapixel mirrorless compact system camera with a more affordable pricetag. The Panasonic GX85 is the follow-up to the Panasonic GX8, which was introduced last summer and is the flagship model in the Lumix mirrorless line.
Sony just introduced two new full-frame lenses for their E-mount mirrorless camera system: the FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS telephoto zoom and 50mm F1.8 prime lens.
Sony has released new firmware updates for the A7R, A7R II, A7S, A7, A7 II and A6000 cameras. For the A7R II, A7II, A7R, and A7S cameras, Update 3.10 includes support for new lenses as well as support for phase-detection AF.
For my photography I prefer small, lightweight, responsive cameras to big, heavy, bulky DSLRs. While small cameras once lagged behind DSLRs in image quality and performance, today’s compact cameras are challenging their dominance with great cameras like the Sony A7S II, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100, Nikon P900 and the new, elegant retro Olympus Pen-F. These compact, bridge and hybrid cameras can even do things some big, bulky DSLRs can’t.
Judging by its understated model designation it would be easy to conclude that the Sony Alpha A6300 mirrorless camera is simply an upgraded Alpha A6000 with 4K video capture added to its already impressive feature set. After spending the better part of three days shooting with the A6300 during a press trip last week to Miami, FL, I am confident that the new model is a lot more than that. In short, it’s a real game changer that represents a significant technological breakthrough for Sony, and for the entire mirrorless camera category.
The Sony A7S II has a 12MP full-frame sensor. This mirrorless camera could be dubbed an “available light specialist” that offers extremely high sensitivity settings of up to ISO 409,600. According to Sony, the BIONZ X processor in the A7S II features an upgraded image processing algorithm that boosts the sensor’s capabilities overall, particularly at the mid-high end of the ISO scale. This is designed to produce more detailed still images and movies with low noise at high ISOs. Let’s take a closer look at this high sensitivity camera, which has also been called a “low-light monster” and a “master of the dark arts.”
THE GOODS is a new feature in Shutterbug that spotlights the hottest premium photo gear out there. If you have a product you’d like considered for The Goods, e-mail images and info to editorial@shutterbug.com.
Along with this morning’s lens announcement, Sigma just introduced the new compact Sigma sd Quattro and Sigma sd Quattro H mirrorless camera systems with Foveon Quattro sensors. The Sigma sd Quattro features an APS-C sized sensor and the Sigma sd Quattro H has a slightly larger APS-H sized sensor.
We’ve just come back from a press event today to launch the new Sony A6300. This compact mirrorless camera has a lot going for it, including a new 4D Focus system that can lock focus on a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds, which Sony claims is the world’s fastest autofocus (AF) acquisition time.
Sony introduced a fast and compact new mirrorless camera this morning: the 24.2-megapixel Sony A6300. The Sony A6300, which boasts what the company claims is the “world’s fastest autofocus,” is the follow-up to the Sony A6000 from 2014.
Without telling us why, Olympus ferried a number of the photo press to Austin, Texas last week, myself included. As it turned out, the purpose was to debut the new Olympus Pen-F Micro Four Thirds digital mirrorless camera ($1199.99, body only). We got to test out the new Olympus Pen-F for several days in Austin, and all I can say is, Wow!