The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 is a new super-zoom camera featuring a wide-angle 24x zoom lens, 12.1 megapixel high-speed MOS image sensor, and 12fps continuous shooting without autofocus and 5.5fps with autofocus. Successor to the FZ100 model, the bridge-style Panasonic FZ150 compact also offers a 3-inch, 460K-pixel rotating LCD screen, full HD 1080p movie recording in AVCHD format at 25/30fps, Intelligent Resolution technology, Light Speed auto-focus, Nano Surface Coating lens coating, a range of creative effects, a port for an optional stereo microphone, and an accessory shoe for an external flash. The FZ150 also offers Power O.I.S anti-shake system, iA (intelligent auto) mode, manual shooting modes, 3D still images, RAW format support and an ISO range of 100-3200. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 is available in black and retails for £449.99 / $499.95.
Fujifilm has just announced the Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR digital travelzoom camera, which features a 16-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, 15x optical zoom, GPS Landmark Navigator, raw image capture and both automatic and manual exposure modes. The FinePix F600 EXR uses key aspects of the specification first seen on the F550 EXR, but adds extra functionality. The camera now features a new EXR Auto mode with a Motion Detection capability, making it better at deciding whether it needs to raise the ISO sensitivity to capture a blur-free shot in a low-light situation. The GPS Landmark Navigator helps you pin-point interesting landmarks around you and shows you where they are in relation to your current location. Additionally, the Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR offers an enhanced Motion Panorama mode for 360° panoramic images and a continuous shooting mode with frame rates up to 8fps at full resolution. For users preferring to capture video footage, the FinePix F600EXR offers full HD 1080p movie capture with stereo sound and a high speed movie option for freezing fast moving action at up to 320 fps. The Fujfilm FinePix F600 EXR will go on sale at the end of October with an RRP of £269.
Photo Productions - a London-based company that produces Premium Photobooks for weddings and special occasions - have reduced the price of their pre-designed sample albums by up to 70%. Three sample sizes are available, starting at £15.00 for Pocket Book samples, rising to £95.00 for a 12x15”. For more information, visit the website below.
To celebrate the launch of the LS-20M; a new device that delivers recording studio sound quality with HD movie capture, Olympus is launching a battle of the bands competition in collaboration with Harvest. The winning band will receive an Olympus LS-20M as well as an opportunity to play at the festival on the main stage on Sunday, 11th September. Available for £280/$300, the Olympus LS-20M comes with a range of Movie effects, including Pop Art, Pin Hole, Punk and Sketch and also features dual LCD panels as well as two condenser microphones for recording 24 bit/96 hHz linear PCM stereo sound.
The independently curated MA Photographic Studies 2011 Exhibition, organised by the University of Westminster, showcases the work of 13 graduates from the University’s MA photography course. Taking place in the Ambika P3 gallery in the heart of the West End, addresses a diversity of themes, from the personal and public to the photographic. Exhibiting photographers include Matthew Fagg, Paula Gortázar, Tam Hare, David Kilian Beck, Deirdre King, Davide Maione, Javier Marquerie Thomas, Bethan Mills, Tom Need, Mari Rustan, Alexandra Serrano, Gosia Sobieszek and Clement Verger. The exhibition opens to the public on 8th September and runs until the 12th.
Black Rapid has rolled out a revised version of its RS-4 camera strap. To match the other BlackRapid R-Straps, the RS-4 Ballistic camera will now be manufactured from ballistic nylon rather than the ripstop nylon of the previous version. Apart from the change in material, the RS-4 is exactly the same as the original and will maintain its current SRP of £60.
OmniVision has recently launched the super-tiny 8-megapixel OV8850 CMOS image sensor featuring a 1.1-micron OmniBSI-2 pixel architecture. The chip, which is 20% smaller than the 1/3.2” imagers used in camera phones, is claimed to offer “a 20 percent improvement in peak quantum efficiency in all colour channels, a 35 percent improvement in low-light sensitivity and a 45 percent increase in full-well capacity in an extremely compact and power-efficient package,” said Per Rosdahl, senior product manager at OmniVision. Besides its advanced pixel design, the OV8850 also features advanced imaging functions, such as an on-chip temperature sensor, two phase lock loops, context switching, and alternate row exposure for high-dynamic-range (HDR) video and still image capture. The OV8850 fits in an 8.5 x 8.5mm autofocus camera module with a build height of 4.7 mm. Sampling will begin in August, with mass production expected in the first calendar quarter of 2012.
Sigma has issued a firmware update for the Sigma SD1 digital SLR camera. According to the company, version 1.02 does the following:
Corrects various bugs to achieve more stable operation.
Corrects the phenomenon of camera freeze when in Custom White Balance Mode.
Improves image quality at high sensitivity (ISO 3200, ISO 6400), only for raw image files.
The Ricoh GXR A12 is a new GXR system lens mount unit that accepts Leica M lenses. Featuring an an APS-C size CMOS sensor, the GXR A12 is compatible with both the Leica M mount and many more types of mounts if a conversion adapter is used. The A12 also offers a newly developed focal plane shutter as well as an electronic shutter, a number of lens correction functions to accommodate the different lenses, and a focus-assist function to improve the accuracy of manual focusing. The Ricoh GXR A12 will be available from September 9th, priced at $649, with the Soft Case B SC-75B at $65 and the Soft Case T SC-75T at $35.
