Along with tonight’s big Coolpix A camera news from Nikon, the company also unveiled the new AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens. This FX-format telephoto zoom lens seems designed explicitly for enthusiast photographers and aspiring pros who’ve just purchased the full-frame Nikon D600 digital SLR.

The AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens will go on sale in early April for $2,699.05. More details in the press release after the jump.

(more…)

Nikon is the latest imaging manufacturer to unveil a compact camera packed with an imaging sensor equal in size to what you’d find in an entry-level digital SLR. The company just officially announced the Coolpix A, which squeezes a 16.2-megapixel  APS-C-sized (DX-format) CMOS sensor into a camera body big enough to fit in your pocket.

We had some hands-on time with a prototype of the Nikon Coolpix A last month and the camera is surprisingly small and portable for what’s housed inside.

Read more about this intriguing new compact from Nikon here.

PRESS RELEASE

Phase One Announces IQ2 Series Digital Camera Backs Pushes Image Quality Beyond Megapixels

COPENHAGEN, March 4, 2013 — Phase One, the world’s leader in open-platform, medium format camera systems and solutions, today announced the Phase One IQ2 series: three new full-frame 645 format digital camera backs with high-speed wireless connectivity and 13 f-stops of dynamic range, plus new options to meet specific photographic goals. Building on the IQ digital back platform, the first choice of many of the world’s leading photographers, the technical advances in the Phase One IQ280, IQ260 and IQ260 Achromatic go beyond delivering ultra-high megapixel resolution to introduce greater mobility and workflow flexibility for professional photographers.

Read more and see an image of all three backs here.

Nikon unveiled a new digital DSLR for photo enthusiasts and “part-time pros” tonight, the 24.1-megapixel Nikon D7100.  The D7100, which uses a new APS-C-sized “DX-format” CMOS sensor, is the successor to the Nikon D7000, which was announced in September 2010.

The Nikon D7100 has a 51-point autofocus system with 15 cross-type sensor points; wireless connectivity; and like the Nikon D800E, it has no optical low pass filter (OLPF), in a move to increase the detail and sharpness in photos captured with the camera.

OLPFs are used to prevent the incidence of moiré in images where there is a preponderance of converging lines, such as in a suspension bridge or a building. A spokesperson for Nikon who we spoke with while getting some hands-on time with a D7100 prototype said he didn’t believe moiré would be a problem with this model.

To read more about the D7100, and about the WR-1 Wireless Transceiver for Nikon DSLR, which Nikon also announced tonight,  see our news story in the Gear section of PDNOnline.

Olympus updated its X-Series of compact cameras this morning with the portable and lightweight Olympus STYLUS XZ-10, which incorporates many of the same high-end features of the flagship STYLUS XZ-2 compact in a slimmer body. The new luxury compact camera boasts a bright f/1.8 to 2.7 zoom lens, pro-style manual settings, ISO 6400 capability, a 12-megapixel back-lit CMOS sensor and Olympus’ TruePic VI image processor.

The Olympus XZ-10 comes in black, brown, or white and will sell for $399.99, starting in late March 2013.

More details in the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE

The Olympus STYLUS XZ-10 iHS Proves Less Is More with Lightweight High Performance

New Ultra-Portable, Ultra-Bright High-End Compact Puts Power in Your Pocket at an Affordable Price

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 19, 2013 – Olympus refines its X-Series with the extremely compact and lightweight Olympus STYLUS XZ-10, which incorporates many of the same high-performance features of the flagship STYLUS XZ-2 in a stealthier body. The new high-end compact is an ideal combination of optical brilliance and usability in a pocket-sized design that blends a super-bright f1.8 to 2.7 zoom lens, pro-style manual settings, ISO 6400, 12-Megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and powerful TruePic VI image processor.

Its flexible 26-130mm* wide-angle iZuiko Digital 5x optical zoom lens with excellent brightness, even at its maximum zoom, fits into a body that is about 40 percent smaller by volume** than its predecessor. Olympus’s advanced iHS image processing technology, and a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor combine with the large-aperture lens to deliver high-sensitivity, low noise and blazing auto-focus performance that translates to excellent image quality from a compact camera. Even at high ISO settings, iHS technologies deliver low noise and radiant colors with crisp details and rich gradation in both dark and light parts of the frame.

XZ-10 upgrades include 120fps high-speed HD movie recording and Photo Story, which shoots a group of still photos straight into attractive, pre-prepared layouts that are ready for sharing via FlashAir without the need for more work on a computer. Modes like the popular Handheld Starlight Mode with Flash make blur-free shooting without a tripod possible even in difficult lighting, and HDR Backlight Adjustment for ideal exposure when shooting against the light.

Just like the STYLUS flagship XZ-2, the XZ-10 has a customizable control ring around the lens so users can adjust key settings such as aperture and exposure time manually without having to take their eye off the subject. Alternatively, users can assign ISO or metering to the Fn button on the back of the camera to ensure quick, easy handling on the go.

Basic operations and settings of the Olympus STYLUS XZ-10, starting with touch controls and Live Guide, as well as a graphic user interface, will be familiar to Olympus PEN and OM-D shooters. Instantly activate the Touch AF Shutter function to select the subject you want to focus on and activate the shutter simply by touching (no swivel), 920,000 dot LCD screen. With a tap of the finger, it can focus on fast-moving subjects and trigger the shot.

In addition to superior still image quality, the 1080p Full HD Movie capability with stereo sound captures movies in the best quality currently available in compact cameras. Multi-Motion Movie IS image stabilization corrects for the common gradual camera shake that occurs when shooting on the move, delivering more stable, higher-quality movies. Beautiful movies can be shot even longer with a 1920 x 1080 High-Definition size and MOV/H.264 movie compression that has an excellent compatibility with computers.

Users can easily share their images on a big-screen HDTV in high definition using an optional HDMI cable or on their social networks using the Olympus Image Share smartphone application (via optional Toshiba FlashAir SDHC card or optional Eye-Fi Card).

*35mm equivalent.
**Based on external dimensions.

U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Olympus STYLUS XZ-10 will be available in late March 2013, and ships with a USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack, Li-Ion Battery Charger, Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS ib software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.

Estimated Street Price: $399.99 (Available in black)

For a complete list of specifications, visit the Olympus website: http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/xz-10.html

Ahead of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013, which opens tomorrow in Japan, Nikon has taken the wraps off two new lenses including a massive 800mm super-telephoto.

Nikon had already announced that the new AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED was in development last summer and a dozen prototypes of the huge, 15-pound lens were in use by pro photographers during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. If you’re a sports or wildlife photographer and you can’t any wait any longer for this FX-format lens, it can be yours this April for a cool $17,899.

While that’s pretty pricey, it is the longest focal length of any Nikkor autofocus (AF) lens yet. It also comes with a 1.25x teleconverter, which turns it into a 1000mm lens while taking away one stop of light. (The fastest aperture available with the teleconverter is f/8.)

The 800mm is the first Nikon lens built with two fluorite glass elements, paired with  two ED glass elements and a Nano Crystal Coat, to help reduce chromatic aberration and flaring while keep the lens relatively lightweight (for its size). This super-telephoto also, of course, has Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization, which reputedly offers the equivalent of approximately four stops of shutter speed correction.

Nikon also unveiled the compact and lightweight 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom lens. Along with full-frame Nikon cameras, it works with DX-format (APS-C sensor) Nikon DSLRs, and converts to a 27-52.5mm equivalent lens. It goes on sale the first week of March for $749.

Read more here.

Canon often uses the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to slip in some unexpected, high-end camera gear announcements. This morning was no exception as the company unveiled two new cinema prime lenses: the new CN-E14mm T3.1 L F and CN-E135mm T2.2 L F single-focal-length lenses for large-format single-sensor cameras employing Super 35mm or full frame 35mm imagers.

The lenses expand Canon’s Cinema EOS prime lens line-up to five models. The lenses are part of the Canon Cinema EOS System for 4K/2K/HD video, which includes the EOS C500 4K/2K  digital cinema camera, EOS C300 digital cinema camera, EOS C100 digital video camera and EOS-1D C 4K DSLR cinema camera, and four Canon Cinema zoom lenses.

The CN-E14mm T3.1 L F single-focal-length lens is slated to go on sale in April 2013 for an estimated price of $5,500. The CN-E135mm T2.2 L F single-focal-length lens will ship in May 2013 for an estimated price of $5,200.

More details in the price below.

(more…)

(UPDATE: As expected, Fujifilm officially unveiled the X100S and X20 retro-style, compact cameras at a press conference at CES yesterday. Both cameras will go on sale in March, with the the X100S retailing for $1,299; and the X20 for $599. More details on these two new cameras in our preview below.)

Fujifilm’s U.K. office seemed to jump the gun on its own CES press conference over the weekend by unveiling the new X100S and X20 high-end, compact cameras ahead of schedule. The company is expected to officially unveil the new cameras at a CES press conference in the next hour.

The X100S is the apparent successor to the X100 from 2010. The retro-style X100S uses a APS-C,16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II image sensor that’s similar in size to chips in entry-level digital SLRs.

The X100S will reportedly have a faster autofocus time of 0.08 seconds — which Fujifilm is calling “the world’s fastest AF” (we’ve heard that before) — along with several other key upgrades. (Though the new X100S looks a lot like the previous model.) Like its predecessor, the X100S employs a Fujinon 23mm f/2 fixed prime lens.

The X100S also features Fuji’s now familiar hybrid viewfinder, which combines both optical and electronic viewfinders. As an added twist, the X100S boasts a new Dual Split Image display, which presents dual images on the left and right side that can be lined up for manual focusing.

According to Fuji, this gives the photographer more accurate focusing when working with an open aperture or during macro shooting. The X100S also features a Focus Peak Highlight function, which electronically shows you which area of an image is in focus for better accuracy and sharpness.

Fujifilm’s U.K. branch also posted a press release on the 12MP X20, which is a follow-up to the X10. The compact X20 uses a 2/3-inch X-Trans CMOS sensor and a 4x manual barrel zoom lens with a f/2.0-2.8 aperture rating.

Price and ship dates for the new cameras have not been announced yet. We’ll add more details to this story when they’re revealed at CES.

(Via Engadget and Photo Rumors)

Pentax joined the parade of imaging manufacturers releasing camera models with “retro” designs by announcing the compact Pentax MX-1 at CES this morning. The 12-megapixel camera features a fixed 4x optical zoom lens with an f/1.8 to 2.5 aperture, and a throwback style camera body with a textured rubber grip and brass top and bottom covers.

The Pentax MX-1 will go on sale in February 2013 for $499.95.

More details in the press release below.

(more…)

Canon unveiled four new PowerShot compact cameras as part of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this morning, including the uniquely designed 12.1-megapixel PowerShot N.

The Canon PowerShot N features a sleek, squared shaped design with two rings on top of the lens to snap pictures and zoom. There are no buttons on the rear of the PowerShot N, with most of the camera’s functionality accessed via a 2.8-inch capacitive, tilt-touch panel LCD on back. The only button on the PowerShot N is an on/off switch on the side.

By putting the shutter and zoom ring on the top and bottom of the lens, the PowerShot N is designed to let you snap images from a variety of angles and positions. The camera has an 8x optical zoom lens that can go as wide as 28mm equivalent and can shoot full 1080p HD video. It also features wireless connectivity.

The PowerShot N, which will come in white or black, is slated to in April 2013 for an estimated retail price of $299.99.

Canon also unveiled the consumer-focused PowerShot ELPH 130 IS ($199.99), A2600 ($149.99), and the A1400 ($109.99) digital cameras this morning.

More details on Canon’s new PowerShot compact cameras in the two press releases after the jump.

(more…)