We thought the Sony a1 was an impressive camera, but the image-making company has just topped it with its latest release. The main highlight of the newly released a9 III is its global shutter, the world’s first for a full-frame mirrorless camera. The unique shutter design, along with a powerful Bionz XR processor, allows for a host of impressive specs, including 120 fps, 1/80,000 max shutter speed, and flash sync at any shutter speed. Additionally, the company also announced the FE 300mm F2.8 G Master OSS lens, which offers superb reach and performance in a relatively compact body.

Sony a9 III camera at a glance

• 24.6-megapixel sensor with Bionz XR processor
• Global sensor exposes and reads every pixel at the same time
• 120 fps blackout-free burst shooting
• Improved ergonomics
• 1/80,000 maximum shutter speed
• Flash sync at any shutter speed
• 759 AF points with more sizes of focus area spots
• 8-stops of optical in-body image stabilization
• 6K oversampling for 4K 60p movies
• 4K 120p video without cropping
• Weighs 1.4 pounds
• Available in spring 2024 for $5,999

What is a global shutter?

The star of the show for the a9 III is, by far, its global shutter. Global shutter technology isn’t new, with a handful of cinema cameras utilizing it over the past few years. But the Sony a9 III is the first full-frame mirrorless camera to jump on board. So, why does that even matter? What is a global shutter?

Currently, most cameras rely on a rolling shutter. With the rolling shutter design, the camera’s sensor receives and reads information line by line from top to bottom. This means that there is a delay between the first line of data and the last. That delay can cause problems when capturing fast-moving subjects in photos or videos, resulting in warping and distortion. You likely have seen this in helicopter rotor blades. In photos, those blades can appear curved or bent when in reality, they are straight.

The global shutter design solves this problem by exposing and reading every single pixel on the sensor at the exact same time. That means that the Sony a9 III will benefit from zero distortion in stills and video, which is a significant advantage for those shooting action. It also allows for a range of other benefits, including the ability to work with flash at any shutter speed, including the camera’s max shutter speed of 1/80,000 (no, that’s not an extra zero). This unlimited flash sync even works with third-party flashes. Additionally, there will be no banding from artificial lights or displays. To aid in this, Sony has also employed an Anti-Flicker mode that automatically syncs the shutter with the brightest point in the light’s cycle to keep the exposure consistent in photos and videos.

Sony a9 III details

There are plenty of other things to swoon about in the a9 III beyond the global shutter, though many are dependent on that feature. Sony built the new camera around a 24.6-megapixel full-frame stacked CMOS sensor and Bionz XR processor, which results in eight times the processing power as the a9 II. the five-axis optical in-body image stabilization system allows for eight stops of compensation with the camera alone. You’ll get even more stabilization if using a stabilized lens as well.

On top of fancy guts, the a9 III features a redesigned body with better ergonomics. Sony says the grip is improved to make the camera easier to hold in the palm of the hand, even when using a telephoto lens. It says that it also moved the shutter button up slightly to be in a more natural, comfortable position. It features a four-axis multi-angle LCD touchscreen (the same as the a7R V) and 9.44 million-dot Quad XGA OLED electronic viewfinder. And as we’d expect from a pro-level Sony camera, it is dust and moisture-resistant.

To pair with the pro-level features of the a9 III, Sony is also releasing a new vertical grip—the VG-C5— that offers the same ergonomic design as the new camera. That includes the same shutter button placement and a new custom button (C5) in the same position so that it feels the exact same when switching between horizontal and vertical shooting. The new battery also pulls parallel power instead of drawing from one source and then switching to the other. Sony says that this allows for 15 percent more battery life.

Burst shooting

One of the main selling points of the a9 III is its absurd burst shooting capabilities. This alone will earn it a top spot as one of the best Sony cameras. It is able to shoot 120 fps blackout-free with real-time recognition AF and auto exposure. The fast burst shooting even works with 14-bit raw. Shooting fast bursts is only one piece of the puzzle when documenting action, though. You also have to get the timing right in the first place. To help ensure you get the shot, Sony has added a Pre-Capture function. This new setting allows the camera to continuously record (also up to 120 fps) for up to one second before the shutter is released.

Even when shooting action, you don’t always want your fastest fps setting. Sony has found a clever way to get around that with the Speed Boost function and a newly added a new custom button (C5) on the front of the camera. The new button allows you to instantly switch to a faster, preset speed at any time and then go back to a more reasonable fps just as quickly.

Image selection of 120 fps with Pre-Capture can be massively overwhelming. Sony even considered this when developing the a9 III. It has added a new playback image filter that allows you to select a large number of images at once, along with a function menu that can be used during image playback. The camera also plays back bursts as a video, so you can mark the shots you want without individually pressing through images.

Autofocus

As with other recent Sony releases, the a9 III features a dedicated AI processing unit to support its advanced phase detection autofocus system. It offers Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking and can detect a wide range of subjects, including humans, cats, dogs, planes, and more. The system can even detect an eye even when the subject is wearing goggles or helmets, is small in the frame, or moving fast. Sony also expanded the sizes of its focus areas to include XS and XL for more control over your focus points.

Sony a9 III video specs & features

Sony emphasized still photography during its announcement with a tagline of “the power of one frame.” But the company certainly didn’t leave video out of the mix in its new camera. The global shutter definitely benefits video shooters since rolling shutter has been a pain point. The a9 III is capable of 4K 60p video oversampled from 6K. It can also shoot 4K 120p without cropping, which is a first for an Alpha series camera. It offers the S-Cinetone profile, S-Log3, 10-bit 4:2:2 capture, and 16-bit raw video over HDMI.

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Sony a9 III pricing & availability

Of course, with such an advanced, pro-level camera, we should expect a pro-level price. And indeed, the Sony a9 III is priced at $5,999. It is available for pre-order now and will begin shipping in the spring of 2024.

FE 300mm F2.8 G Master OSS lens details

In case the groundbreaking camera wasn’t enough, Sony has also announced a new lens. Like the camera, the FE 300mm F2.8 G Master OSS lens is also a pro-level piece of equipment geared towards serious sports and wildlife photographers, as is evident in its matching $5,999 price.

As a G Master lens, the new 300mm offering will provide superb resolution and edge-to-edge sharpness. The optical design includes three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and one ED glass element to reduce chromatic aberration and improve contrast across the frame. The 11-blade circular aperture results in beautiful smooth bokeh. And two XD linear motors drive focus that is fast, precise, and silent. It’s also able to keep up with the fast burst shooting of the a9 III.

Beyond image quality, the best feature of the 300mm f/2.8 GM is its size. The lens weighs just 3.2 pounds, which makes it the lightest lens of its class. For context, it is 40 percent lighter than the 400mm f/2.8 GM and roughly the same weight as the original 70-200mm GM. Sony was also very intentional about how the lens balances, designing it with optimum balance for smooth panning and easier handheld shooting.

The new 300mm telephoto prime lens is compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters. It offers a function ring to instantly engage the APS-C crop, providing a 420mm view. It is dust and moisture-resistant with magnesium alloy inside and out for a durable, rugged build.

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Sony FE 300mm F2.8 G Master OSS pricing & availability

Like the new camera, the FE 300mm F2.8 G Master OSS lens is available for pre-order now for $5,999. It will begin shipping in the spring of 2024.

The post New gear: The Sony a9 III is the first full-frame camera with a global shutter appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Sony makes some of the best camera gear around right now, with cameras and lenses suitable for high-level pros and complete beginners. Right now, you can take advantage of these Sony early Black Friday deals on a selection of equipment covering that spectrum. Whether you are picking up something for yourself or shopping for a generous gift for someone you know, these deals will give you up to $200 in savings.

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS Full-Frame Lens $698.00 (was $899.99)

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A 24-70mm is a must-have tool for just about every photographer. This standard zoom offers a bit of every focal length in one, meaning you don’t have to swap lenses as often. The Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar is a budget-friendly 24-70mm that still offers plenty of quality. It’s also very compact and lightweight, making it easier to travel with and hold during long shoots. This lens is a great beginner lens, so if you are shopping for a newer photographer, it would be a great bet.

More Sony early Black Friday deals

Deals on Sony cameras

• Sony a7 IV with 28-70mm lens $2,498.00 (was $2,699.99)
• Sony a7R III Mirrorless Camera Body $1,998.00 (was $2,198.00)
• Sony Alpha A6600 Mirrorless Camera with 18-135mm Zoom Lens $1,398.00 (was $1,599.99)
• Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera for Content Creators $648.00 (was $749.99)

Deals on Sony zoom lenses

• Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Wide-Angle Zoom Lens $1,898.00 (was $2,199.99)
• Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full-Frame Lens $1,598.00 (was $1,699.99)
• Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Standard Zoom Lens $1,198.00 (was $1,299.99)
• Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens $1,173.00 (was $1,243.41)
• Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS Super-Telephoto APS-C Lens $898.00 (was $999.99)
• Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens $1,898.00 (was $1,999.99)

Deals on Sony prime lenses

• Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Full-Frame G Lens $798.00 (was $899.99)
• Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Full Frame Wide-angle Prime Lens $1,298.00 (was $1,399.99)
• Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens $198.00 (was $249.99)
• Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens $1,698.00 (was $1,798.00)
• Sony FE 85mm F/1.8 $548.00 (was $599.99)
• Sony FE 90mm f/2.8-22 Macro G OSS Standard-Prime Lens $998.00 (was $1,099.99)

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Two years ago, Nikon released the Z fc—a mirrorless camera that paid homage to the looks of the iconic FM2 film SLR. Despite the classic body, the camera was quite impressive in a modern sense, and we loved the combination. Nikon clearly had success with that camera and is building on the line with a 24.5-megapixel full-frame version called the Z f.

Once again, despite the decidedly old-school looks, Nikon packed the camera with advanced tech, much of which it borrowed from the Z8 and Z9 cameras. Among other high-end features, the camera offers advanced autofocus abilities, the option to use eye detection to assist with manual focus, 14 fps burst shooting, 4K 30p video oversampled from 6K, and more. The camera provides some unique options as well, such as a physical switch to engage a black-and-white mode. It looks like an impressive and exciting camera, and we’re excited to test it out in the near future. For now, here’s what we know.

Nikon Z f at a glance

• 24.5-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with EXPEED 7 image-processing engine
• 4K 30p video oversampled from 6K, or 4K 60p with a crop
• Advanced autofocus with 3-D tracking and subject detection based on Deep Learning technology
• Vari-angle touchscreen display
• 5-axis vibration reduction with 8 stops of stabilization
• 14 frames per second or up to 30 fps with High-Speed Frame Capture+
• ISO range of 100-64,000
• Mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation
• Magnesium-allow body
• One UHS II SD card slot, one micro SD slot
• Available in six colors
• Available in mid-October for $1996.95

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Nikon Z f camera details

We loved the looks of the Nikon Z fc, so are very excited to see that the design remains very similar in the full-frame Z f. Nikon designed the magnesium-allow body with weather seals in multiple places for dust- and drip-resistance. It also used an electro-conductive coat to keep the surface clean from dust, along with a fluorine coat for easier cleaning. Nikon built the Z f with dual memory card slots, though interestingly, one is an SD slot (UHS II), and one is a micro SD slot.

The top of the camera features mechanical dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, much like the FM2 film SLR. Though it lacks the large display on the top of the camera that so many Nikon cameras have, it does offer a small LCD screen to show your aperture. The back of the camera sports a vari-angle touchscreen, which is a first on full-frame Z-series cameras.

The camera will be available in six color options: Indigo Blue, Sepia Brown, Bordeaux Red, Sunset Orange, Moss Green, and Stone Gray. Each will feature embossed artificial leather on the grip, wrapping around the rear of the camera.

Sensor and processor

Nikon built the camera around a 24.5-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and an EXPEED 7 image-processing engine. The combination allows for the beautiful image quality that Nikon is so well known for, along with fast burst shooting, advanced autofocus, and excellent dynamic range. Though the 24.5-megapixel count seems rather low at first glance, Nikon may have opted for the lower resolution in order to better accommodate old lenses. Using retro lenses (with help from an adapter) on this old-school-looking body just makes sense stylistically, and you can get some fantastically unique lenses to create some really fun images.

Autofocus

Nikon has lagged behind the other brands in autofocus abilities, but at least on paper, it sounds like the Z f should be highly capable. When using Auto Area AF, the autofocus system uses 299 AF points across 96 percent of the horizontal axis of the frame. This should result in better results with locking on and tracking subjects even if they are near the edge of the viewfinder.

The Nikon Z f autofocus system utilizes 3-D Tracking for photographers and subject-tracking AF in video mode. It also supports subject detection developed with Deep Learning technology, which can detect and lock onto nine subjects, including people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, and planes. Nikon says that it can detect “the world’s smallest size of a face in the frame—approximately three percent of the frame’s longest side.” We’ll see how well it works in the real world, but being able to focus on subjects further away is definitely a big win.

One interesting feature of the Z f is the use of Eye/Face-Detection in manual focus mode. The camera will recognize the eye and allow you to magnify that specifically on the screen in order to dial in focus where you need it.

Video features

Any cameras coming out these days are expected to provide at least somewhat impressive video capabilities, and that is the case here. The Nikon Z f offers up to 4K 30p video that is oversampled from 6K footage. You can also opt for 4K 60p in DX mode or 1080p at 120 fps. It should provide recording times up to 125 minutes for when you need long, continuous cuts.

The Zf is the first Nikon camera to offer video recording in shutter-priority auto mode, meaning you can select the shutter speed, and the camera will adjust the rest. It offers in-camera 10-bit H.265 recording, allowing for full-scale video without an external recorder.

Photo features

Though the Z f provides good video stats, still shooting seems to be the star of the show here. It is capable of up to 14 fps plus 30 fps with High-Speed Frame Capture+ (C30). It also supports Pre-Release Capture to ensure you don’t miss the shot when working with fast-moving subjects.

In case there haven’t been enough firsts for you, the Nikon Z f is the first Nikon camera capable of pixel-shift shooting. This mode allows you to create images up to 96 megapixels, which is ideal for landscape, architectural, and commercial artists. It works by subtly shifting the sensor position when capturing four, eight, 16, or 32 raw files in order to gather more accurate color information and high levels of detail.

In a play on the classic film camera vibes, Nikon included a physical switch to engage a black-and-white mode for monochromatic Picture Controls. You can choose from a sharp, dynamic, and high-contrast “Monochrome” mode or a new “Flat Monochrome” mode, which “reproduces tones with a smooth gradation from shadow to light, rich in mid-tones for a warm, soft impression.” There’s also a new “Deep Tone Monochrome” for high-contrast images.

Nikon Z f pricing & availability

The new Nikon Z f in the basic black colorway (though we are big fans of this classic look anyway) is available for pre-order now and will ship in mid-October for a suggested retail price of $1,996.95 for the body only. If you want one of the five other colors, it will cost you $2,099.95, and you’ll have to order directly through Nikon. The Z f is also available as a kit with the retro-looking NIIKOR Z 40mm f/2.0 SE for $2,239.95 or with a NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens for $2,599.95.

Nikon also said that it is working with SmallRig to develop a custom grip bracket, though it hasn’t provided any additional information as of yet.

The post Nikon announces the Z f: A retro-looking full-frame mirrorless camera appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Blackmagic Design is well known for its range of cinema cameras that make high-end video more approachable than traditional cinema cameras while offering better quality than a DSLR or mirrorless camera. And now, the company has expanded its offerings with the Cinema Camera 6K. This new camera sits squarely in between the Pocket Cinema Cameras and its high-end URSA lineup, offering high-end digital film camera quality and features in a compact body.

The design of the new camera looks remarkably like the Pocket Cinema Camera, but internally, it is a totally different beast. The star of the show is the full-frame sensor, which is a first in Blackmagic cameras. It also features an L-mount bayonet, making it a highly versatile option. Despite the high-end tech, the camera comes in at $2,595, which is surprisingly affordable.

Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K at a glance

• 36 x 24mm full-frame 6K 6048 x 4032 sensor
• Open gate 3:2, full height 6:5 anamorphic, and Super 35 for creating cinematic content
• L-Mount compatible
• Records full resolution up to 36 fps or 120 fps windowed
• Utilizes CFexpress cards
• Adjustable, 5-inch HDR 1500 nit LCD screen
• Compatible with the optional Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Pro EVF
• Uses the NP-F570 battery and optional Blackmagic Pocket Camera Battery Pro Grip

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Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K

The most exciting feature of the Cinema Camera 6K is the new full-frame sensor. Thus far, all of Blackmagic’s cameras have utilized Super 35 sensors. The 24 by 36mm 6K sensor provides a native resolution of 6048 x 4032, which is almost three times larger than a Super 35 sensor. This opens up more opportunities to use anamorphic lenses and a shallower depth of field for even more dramatic cinematic footage.

It offers dual native ISOs up to 25,600 with 13 stops of dynamic range. And, like the more expensive URSA lineup, it features an optical low-pass filter to help manage moire and aliasing. The larger sensor means that you can use a variety of film formats and aspect ratios without sacrificing quality. That includes open gate 3:2 for reframing shots in post. And it also enables 6:5 anamorphic content without cropping for higher-resolution and more detailed widescreen videos than previously possible. And you could even use the classic Super 35 sized window on the sensor for an instant close-up look.

L-mount

Another exciting feature of the Cinema Camera 6K is the L-mount bayonet. Dan May, the president of Blackmagic Design, explained that the L-mount alliance is a big win, as it enables the use of more affordable lenses. Blackmagic Design has always had the goal of offering tools that are a balance between high-end Hollywood tools while still being something that a college student could go out and buy to get started. But an affordable camera doesn’t mean much if you are limited to $10,000 cinema lenses.

With the L-mount, you, of course, have access to lenses from Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma. But there are also plenty of adapters so that you can use a wide range of lenses beyond that as well. For example, you can easily find L-mount to EF-mount adapters, allowing you to use your EF glass on the Cinema Camera 6K. That means there are plenty of affordable options as well as high-end ones, making this a versatile tool for novices and pros alike. And you can utilize both new and vintage lenses, giving you a wider range of creative opportunities.

Design & build

As mentioned, the body of the Cinema Camera 6K looks nearly identical to the Pocket Cinema Cameras. It’s highly compact for a cinema camera, with handling similar to mirrorless cameras. There are a few benefits to this familiar form factor. For starters, it is easier to hold than most cinema cameras, making hand-held shooting more possible. But more importantly, most third-party or Blackmagic Design accessories that work with the Pocket Cinema Camera will also work with the Cinema Camera 6K. So, if you already own accessories such as cages or a vertical battery grip, you won’t need to buy new ones to use with this new camera.

The Cinema Camera 6K features a CFexpress card recorder, but you can also record to external flash media disks or SSDs via the USB-C port. The back of the camera is dominated by a bright five-inch HDR LCD touchscreen, which makes it easy to compose and focus shots as well as keep an eye on histograms, levels, and more. The screen can be tilted up to 180 degrees flat and down to 47 degrees. And it offers 1500 nits of brightness.

If you are working in too bright of conditions, there is also an optional viewfinder with an integrated 1280 x 960 color OLED display with a built-in proximity sensor. It features a four-element glass diopter for incredible accuracy with a wide -4 to +4 focus adjustment.

Video details

The Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K can shoot in all standard resolutions and frame rates up to 6K. At 6K, the camera can shoot up to 36 fps at 6048 x 4032 3:2 open gate or 60 fps at 6048 x 2520 2.4:1 and 60 fps at 4096 x 2160 4K DCI. If you want higher frame rates, you can window the sensor and shoot up to 100 fps at 2112 x 1184 Super 16 or 120 fps at 1080HD. Blackmagic Design also explained that the camera allows the use of “true anamorphic 6:5 at much higher resolutions than other cameras using anamorphic lenses in 4.8K 24 fps at 4838 x 4032.”

Blackmagic Design cameras are well known for their focus on post-production workflows, and that remains with the Cinema Camera 6K. It allows simultaneous Blackmagic RAW and real-time H.264 proxy recording for cloud workflows.

Cinema Camera 6K pricing & availability

The Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K is priced at $2,595, which is roughly the same as the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro. It is available for pre-order now and is set to begin shipping on October 1.

iPhone camera app

Blackmagic Design also announced a handful of additional products and updates, including a new iPhone camera app. The Blackmagic Design app transforms your phone into a digital film camera. It offers the same settings that you’d see on a Blackmagic camera, as well as the same menus. That includes focus assist features with zebra pattern, false color, audio levels, focus peaking, codex settings, and more. It adds a timecode automatically, so you can easily use your phone as a second camera.

The app can shoot vertical aspect ratios, but it also offers what Blackmagic is calling Stealth Mode. Stealth Mode lets you rotate the phone vertically—which is easier to hold and record—but then crops the sensor to be horizontal. The app fully integrates with DaVinci Resolve and its cloud sharing, so you can record directly to a project and share your videos with collaborators and teammates.

The app is available today and is totally free of charge.

The post The Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K is the company’s first full-frame camera appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Fujifilm has revitalized its pro-level camera lineup with some exciting announcements. The star of the show was an updated version of the company’s flagship medium format camera, the GFX100 II. Fujifilm maintained the same 102-megapixel resolution of the GFX100 but made significant changes to the camera across the board. That includes a newly designed sensor, a new image processing engine, faster autofocus, and a more compact design. Despite all these upgrades, the camera comes in $2,500 cheaper than the original model, which is pretty shocking. It will still cost you $7,499, but it does mean that there isn’t much reason to purchase the GFX100 anymore.

Beyond the camera news, the company also announced a GF55mmF1.7 R WR lens, two tilt-shift lenses, and an updated lens development roadmap for its GFX system of mirrorless cameras. Fujifilm is clearly investing heavily into its medium format system.

Fujifilm GFX100 II at a glance

• Newly designed 102-megapixel 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS sensor
• X-Processor 5 Image Processor
• Weighs 2.2 pounds, which is 1 pound lighter than the GFX100
• 5-Axis sensor-shift image stabilization
• Up to 8 fps
• 4K 60p, 8K 30p video
• AI-based subject-detection autofocus with Deep Learning technology
• 20 Film simulation modes
• ISO range of ISO 80-12800

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Fujifilm GFX100 II

The most obvious change of the GFX100 II is the slimmed-down design. The camera looks much more like the slightly more affordable GFX 100S instead of its predecessor, the GFX100. Fujifilm did away with the built-in vertical grip, though you can still buy it as an add-on if you want it. The camera also offers five-axis sensor-shift image stabilization, providing up to eight stops of compensation. Combined with the more lightweight design, it will be easier to get tack sharp images even when hand-holding the camera.

Despite the smaller size, Fujifilm bumped up the quality of the viewfinder in the GFX100 II. It offers a 9.44-million-dot OLED EVF with 1.0x magnification. The GFX100 only featured a 5.76-million-dot EVF with 0.86x magnification, so that’s a significant quality increase. This viewfinder is removable, which allows you to use the EVF-TL1 tilt adapter when shooting at a lower angle. There is also a 3.2″ 2.36m-dot tilting touchscreen LCD.

The top of the camera is also significantly different. It includes a traditional mode dial and three customizable function buttons. A large display, which takes up most of the right side on the top of the camera, shows most settings that you’ll need, including exposure compensation, shooting mode, exposure settings, and more.

Sensor & processor upgrades

Fujifilm built the GFX100 II around a slew of upgraded tech. The 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS Sensor is 1.7 times the size of a 35mm sensor, which is ideal for those who want spectacular levels of detail. Though the sensor offers the same 102-megapixel resolution as the GFX100, it is newly designed. Joining the new sensor is Fujifilm’s latest fifth-generation X-Processor 5 image-processing engine. Combined, the new sensor and image processor result in double the signal readout speed. That enables faster burst shooting( 8fps compared to the 5fps of the GFX100), faster autofocus, and higher video quality.

The sensor allows for a native ISO range of 80 to 12,800, which is slightly expanded from the GFX100’s ISO 100-12,800 range. Fujifilm also explained that it optimized the photosites of the new sensor to “increase light use efficiency at the sensor’s edges, thus improving both image quality at the edges of the photo, and AF accuracy over the previous, GFX100 and GFX100S models.”

Autofocus

Fujifilm is promising significantly improved autofocus performance in the GFX100 II thanks to the new sensor and image processor. It offers Artificial Intelligence (AI) based subject-detection autofocus (AF), which is also featured in the Fujifilm X-H2S. Fujifilm says that it developed the autofocus system with Deep Learning technology and updated it with the latest prediction AF algorithm. As a result, it can now quickly detect and track animals, birds, vehicles, drones, and insects, keeping focus locked on as they move.

GFX100 II video upgrades

Fujifilm also improved the video capabilities of its new medium format camera. It can record Apple ProRes 4:2:2, 10-bit video internally at 4K 60p or 8K 30p, which is a first for a GFX System camera. For context, the GFX100 and GFX100S topped out at 4K 30p. It supports three different Apple ProRes codecs: Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, and Apple ProRes 422 LT. It can also record Blackmagic raw, providing lots of flexibility.

You can record to the dual CFexpress Type B card slots or directly to an attached SSD via USB-C. There is also an SD card slot, but CFexpress Type B cards are necessary to take advantage of the enhanced video performance features. A full-size HDMI output is also available.

Pricing & availability

Somehow, even though Fujifilm made some massive improvements to the GFX100 II, it comes in at $2,500 cheaper than the GFX100. Of course, as a pro-grade camera, it’s still not cheap. It will be available in early fall for $7,499 and is available for pre-order now.

Tilt-shift lenses for GFX System cameras

In case the camera wasn’t enough, Fujifilm also announced two tilt-shift lenses for its GFX cameras. That includes the Fujinon GF30mmF5.6 T/S lens and Fujinon Lens GF110mmF5.6 T/S Macro lenses. They mark the first native tilt-shift lenses for GFX cameras. These tilt-shift lenses open up new creative opportunities for architectural, product, and commercial photographers.

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Fujinon GF30mmF5.6 T/S lens details

The GF30mmF5.6 T/S offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24mm, meaning it provides an ideal wide-angle perspective for architectural and landscape work. Fujifilm built the lens with 16 lens elements in 11 groups, including three aspherical elements, two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, and one Super ED element. It also features the use of a large aperture aspherical, front element, and three ED elements, which Fujifilm says eliminates “the need for electronically correcting distortion and lateral chromatic aberration.” It should provide edge-to-edge sharpness even when shifting.

The lens offers tilting of ±8.5 degrees and shifting of up to ±15mm. And you can combine rotation adjustments within ±90 degrees with parallel or perpendicular tilt and shift adjustments. There is a built-in sensor in the lens, which allows you to monitor changes in Live View and also records the information in the file’s metadata.

The lens weighs 2.95 and is 5.5 inches long.

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Fujinon GF110mmF5.6 T/S Macro lens details

Fujifilm’s 100mm macro tilt-shift offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 87mm and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.5x. Fujifilm says that the lens will deliver high levels of image resolution, making it ideal for commercial and still-life photography. It allows for tilt up to ±10 degrees and to shift up to ±15mm, along with the same rotation adjustments within ±90 degrees as the 30mm lens.

The 110mm weighs 2.77 pounds and measures 5.9 inches long.

Pricing & availability

Both of the new tilt-shift lenses will be available this fall. The GF30mmF5.6 T/S is priced at $3,999, while the GF110mmF5.6 T/S Macro will cost you $3,499. Both are available for pre-order now.

Fujinon GF55mmF1.7 R WR lens

Rounding out the announcement from the X Summit is the GF55mmF1.7 R WR lens. This lens offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 44mm and is ideal for travel, street, and documentary photography applications. It offers a fast f/1.7 aperture, which pairs well with the recently released GF80mmF1.7 R WR lens.

The lens is made up of 14 elements in 10 groups, including aspherical and extra-low dispersion (ED) elements. The 11-blade diaphragm results in rounded bokeh, even when shooting wide open. And it Fujifilm says that it effectively controls chromatic and spherical aberrations.

Fujifilm utilized a powerful direct current (DC) motor and a GMR sensor in this lens, which ensures fast and near-silent autofocus. It should offer edge-to-edge sharpness even when using a shallow depth of field. It is also built to handle the elements, with weather-resistant seals in nine places. It weighs 1.72 pounds and measures only 3.9 inches.

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Pricing & availability

The GF55mmF1.7 R WR lens will be available early this fall for $2,299.95. It is available for pre-order now.

The post The Fujifilm GFX100 II is smaller, more capable, and yet cheaper appeared first on Popular Photography.

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It has been a few years since instant camera giant Polaroid released a new camera. The Polaroid Now+, a connected instant camera, was released in late 2021, but since then, the company has only pushed out special edition films. Luckily, the wait for a new Polaroid is over, as it has announced the Polaroid I-2. This new offering sits at the top end of Polaroid’s lineup as the most advanced option yet. With that comes a rather steep $599.99 price tag. But, with the higher price comes more features, such as built-in manual controls and a shaper lens.

Polaroid I-2 instant camera details

Polaroid seems to have gone back to the basics when designing the new I-2, building it nearly from the ground up. The video above talks about the process of designing the new instant camera, which was down in partnership with Japanese optical engineers. The company expanded its engineering team and took four years to design each element. It’s clear a lot of thought went into this device.

Polaroid built the camera around a continuous autofocus, three-lens system. It says that this will result in the sharpest results of any Polaroid instant camera yet. It is capable of an f/8 aperture and is made of optical grade polycarbonate and acrylic with anti-reflective coating. The camera also offers a flash, which is a vacuum discharge tube strobe. It provides an eight-foot range. Should you want to use external flashes, there is a 2.5mm audio mono jack flash sync interface.

Interestingly, this is also the first camera to be compatible with i-Type, 600, and SX-70 film, opening up even more creative possibilities. In addition, it features a 49mm filter thread and a standard 1/4-20 UNC thread for tripod use. It relies on an internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is rechargeable via USB-C and provides a 15-pack battery life.

Autofocus

The Polaroid I-2’s autofocus system utilizes a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor. It detects the distance to the subject and automatically adjusts the lens using a stepper motor to achieve accurate focus. This system allows for longer focusing distances, and Polaroid says it can focus from 1.3 feet to infinity. It is also more reliable even in difficult lighting conditions such as low light situations.

Manual controls & camera modes on the Polaroid I-2

Perhaps the most exciting feature of this camera is the built-in manual controls. It is the first Polaroid camera for integral film (a specific type of instant film) with such capabilities. Camera mode, flash mode, distance to the object, shutter speed, aperture, and light meter indicator value are all selectable. You can see and adjust these settings using the integrated viewfinder display and the external OLED display.

If you don’t always want full control, you’re in luck. It will offer six separate modes. You’ll have access to auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, self-time, and multi-exposure. The Polaroid I-2 is also app-enabled, which provides full remote control and firmware update opportunities.

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Polaroid I-2 pricing & availability

As a premium camera, the Polaroid I-2 is not cheap. And if it’s anything like the Now+, it will take time to get used to in order to actually get good results. Nevertheless, it looks like a slick camera, and we can’t wait to check it out. It is priced at $599.99 and is available for purchase now, though is already listed as out of stock. You can choose to be notified when it is back in stock, however.

The post The Polaroid I-2 offers full manual controls, for a price appeared first on Popular Photography.

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The latest GoPro camera is officially here. The list of updates may be relatively short compared to previous releases, but the GoPro Hero12 Black brings new and worthwhile features to the table. That includes double the run times, HDR video at 5.3K and 4K, and wireless timecode sync across an unlimited number of GoPro cameras. There’s also a suite of upgrades ideal for content creators, such as 9:16 vertical video and wireless audio support. We’re looking forward to testing one out soon, but here’s what we know so far.

GoPro Hero12 Black at a glance

• 1/1.9-inch sensor enables more vertical video modes and aspect ratios
• 70 minutes of continuous recording at 5.3K 60p
• HDR photos and video up to 5.3K or 4K
• 8x slo-mo in up to 2.7K
• 27-megapixel photos
• GP-Log with available LUTs
• Wireless audio support for Apple AirPods and other Bluetooth devices
• HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization
• Timecode sync with unlimited GoPro cameras
• 1/4-20 mounting allows the use of standard camera mounts and accessories

GoPro Hero12 Black details

The guts of the new GoPro Hero12 remain very similar to the Hero11. It uses the same 1/1.9-inch sensor found in the previous model, and the camera bodies are exactly the same size. The screens, ports, and buttons all remain the same. You will be able to take advantage of the new 1/4-20 mounting threads on the mounting fingers, which make the camera compatible with standard camera mounts, tripods, and accessories. The only real change look-wise is the blue flecks mixed into the camera body.

Video upgrades

Where the majority of the upgrades come into play is in regards to video recording. Most noteworthy is the 2x run times. GoPro says this is the result of a redesigned and “dramatically improved power management system.” It will enable 70 minutes of continuous recording at 5.3K 60p, the highest settings on the camera. If you lower the quality, those times get even longer, such as over 95 minutes at 5.3K 30p and over 155 minutes of continuous recording at 1080p 30p. All of those times account for HyperSmooth 6.0 use as well.

The Hero12 will also offer HDR photos and videos up to 5.3K. Another plus for those who want full creative control over their videos is the ability to use GP-Log with available LUTs (Lookup Tables, which are like filters for video applications). And GoPro has once again improved its already outstanding stabilization to HyperSmooth 6.0. The new version of stabilization smooths out videos with minimal cropping and enables 360-degree horizon-leveling.

One plus to the large sensor found in the Hero11 and Hero12 is better vertical video capabilities. GoPro has expanded that in the Hero12 with the Vertical Capture Mode. It enables a 9:16 aspect ratio for 4K video when the camera is mounted horizontally.

Additional new features

Those who use the GoPro for recording audio as well will greatly appreciate the added Bluetooth wireless audio support. This makes the Hero12 compatible with Apple AirPods, earbuds, headphones, and microphones. It will be a big asset for vloggers and scene narration, but also allows you to use the camera’s voice commands from a distance.

If you are creating content with multiple GoPros in order to record different angles, the wireless timecode sync will come in handy. It works with an unlimited number of GoPro Hero12 cameras and makes the editing process much easier. And GoPro says that there is now optimized encoding for smaller file sizes without any reduction to quality.

New GoPro accessories

Along with the launch of the new camera, GoPro is also releasing a handful of new accessories. The Max Lens Mod 2.0 clips onto the GoPro camera and creates “the market’s widest 177° field of view at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.” With the Max Lens Mod 2.0 on, you can create photos and videos in three field-of-view settings—Max Wide, Max SuperView, and the all-new, hyper-immersive Max HyperView. It produces content that is 36 percent wider widescreen videos and 48 percent taller vertical videos compared to the standard lens. Compared to the first Max Lens Mod, it offers twice as much scratch resistance and a hydrophobic lens coating to keep water drops away.

GoPro is also producing two additional accessories that will be available a bit later. The new extension pole folds down to 10 inches and extends up to 48 inches. GoPro designed it to work with the Hero12’s new 1/4-20 mounting threads, but it also features mounting fingers so that it is cross-compatible with older GoPro models.

Included with the extension pole is a new wearable and waterproof Bluetooth shutter remote. This will make it much easier to begin or end recording when the pole is fully extended. Beyond working with the GoPro Hero12, it is also compatible with the HERO11 Black, HERO11 Black Mini, and HERO10 Black. Both the extension pole and shutter remote will be available in October 2023.

Quik app for desktop

GoPro users have long been stuck with editing in the Quik mobile app or choosing a more complicated program like Premier Pro for editing videos. But the Quik app will be coming to desktop shortly. GoPro hasn’t provided many details but did say that it will provide “an expanded list of features and capabilities that take advantage of a desktop computer’s processing power and screen size.” The Quik desktop app will be available for Mac on November 1 and Windows in Summer 2024.

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Pricing & availability

The GoPro Hero12 Black is available for pre-order now for $399.99. The Hero12 Black Creator Edition, which comes with a mic, light, and Volta (battery grip/tripod/remote), will cost $599.99 and is also available for pre-order. The Max Lens Mod 2.0 is also available for pre-order for $99.99. All items are set to ship by September 13, so you won’t have to wait too long.

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Imaging powerhouse Sony has decided to go all in and announce two cameras and a lens at once. The cameras expand the Alpha 7C series, moving the line from a single, do-it-all, full-frame camera to two options with slightly different purposes. Both cameras take advantage of tech from a7 IV and a7R IV, resulting in advanced features in highly compact bodies. The a7C II continues the legacy of the original, with the most notable upgrades being the 33-megapixel sensor and BIONZ XR image processor. The new a7CR shares many of the same features and specs as the a7C II but boasts a 61-megapixel sensor for high-resolution images. Here’s what we know about the cameras so far.

Sony a7C II at a glance

• 4.88 x 2.8 x 2.5 inches
• Weighs 1.1 pounds
• Full-frame 33-megapixel, back-illuminated sensor
• 10 fps continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking
• 4K 30p video oversampled from 7K
• Built around an advanced AI-processing unit for improved autofocus abilities
• Built-in image stabilization with 7 stops of correction

Sony a7C R at a glance

• 5 x 2.87 x 2.5 inches
• Weighs 1.1 pounds
• Full-frame 61-megapixel, back-illuminated sensor
• Dedicated AI-processing unit for advanced subject recognition
• Built-in image stabilization with 7 stops of correction
• Pixel Shift Multi Shooting for even higher resolution stills
• 4K 60p video
• Up to 8 fps with AF/AE
• Comes with the GP-X2 grip extension

Sony Alpha 7C II details

The original a7C—released roughly three years ago—has been a very popular camera thanks to its excellent image and video performance and full-frame sensor. It utilized much of the same tech as the larger a7 III but did so in a much smaller body. The camera was an ideal choice for travel and street photography because of its highly compact size. The a7C II continues that tradition, and borrows many of the features from the a7 IV.

a7c II build & design

Expectedly, the a7C II keeps its diminutive form. It measures 4.88 by 2.8 by 2.5 inches and weighs just 1.1 pounds. Sony bumped the sensor from 24.2 megapixels to 33 megapixels in this second edition, which is back-illuminated. And it updated to the latest BIONZ XR image processing engine for high imaging performance across the board.

There is a 2.36 million-dot (approx.) XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, which is the same as the a7C. The magnification has increased from 0.59x to 0.7x, however. There’s a vari-angle LCD with 1.03 million dots and touchscreen capabilities. And Sony built the camera with a dust and moisture resistant design for better durability.

Video performance

As a more compact version of the a7 IV, the a7C II offers robust video features. That includes 4K 30p video with 7K oversampling or 4K 60p video as well. It is equipped with S-Log3 for 12 stops of dynamic range, allowing for more gradation even in scenes with heavy contrast. You can record with LUTs in camera or take advantage of S-Cinetone for a cinematic look right out of the camera without any additional post-processing. And it offers Active Mode image stabilization for smoother handheld shooting.

Improved autofocus abilities

As we’ve come to expect from camera releases, Sony promises improved autofocus abilities. Sony built the a7C II with the same AI-processing unit as the a7R V for more advanced subject recognition. It enables Real-time Recognition AF and utilizes “human-pose estimation technology” to track a subject with very high accuracy. The camera also expands the existing tracking possibilities from just people and animals to birds, insects, cars, trains, and airplanes.

The a7C II uses 759 phase detection autofocus points that cover 94 percent of the image area when shooting still. That means it can recognize the subject even when they are only taking up a small area of the frame. Thanks to the latest AF algorithms, the camera can achieve high AF precision down to EV -4.0, improving low-light performance. There is a Focus Priority mode that enables more reliable autofocus in those situations or when using a smaller aperture.

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Pricing & availability

The Sony a7C II will be available this fall in black or silver for $2,198 for the body only. You can also purchase a kit with the 28-60mm lens for $2,498. It will be available for preorder beginning August 30 at 10 am Eastern.

Sony Alpha 7C R details

The a7C R is a brand new camera, but follows the same formula as the a7C II. It is essentially an a7R V in a tiny body. In fact, Sony says that it is 29 percent lighter with approximately 53 percent less volume than the a7R V. The a7C R shares most of the features and specs as the a7C II, though it offers a higher resolution of 61 megapixels, giving it an edge for still photography. Should you want even more resolution, you can use the Pixel Shift Multi Shooting which takes multiple images and combines them on a computer for ultra-high resolution results.

The a7C R comes with the grip extension GP-X2 for better ergonomics when holding the camera for a long time or using heavy lenses. The grip is $159.99 on its own, and does not come with the a7C II. To help obtain sharp images, it is equipped with seven-step optical five-axis in-body image stabilization, which can detect and correct blurring down to the individual pixel level.

Video performance

The a7C R shares most of the same video features as the a7C II. The main exception is that 4K footage is oversampled from 6K instead of 7K. But it still offers S-Log3, the ability to import LUTs when shooting in Log mode, S-Cinetone, Active Mode stabilization, and more.

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Pricing & availability

The a7C R will be available this fall in black or silver for $2,998 for the body only. Preorders will begin on August 30 at 10 am Eastern. At this point, Sony is not offering any kit versions of this camera, so you’ll have to buy a lens separately.

The post New gear: Sony a7C II and a7C R full-frame mirrorless cameras appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Insta360 cameras are some of the best GoPro alternatives, thanks in part to the unique offering of 360-degree footage from some of its devices. Even those that are more traditional action cameras are excellent. They are built for adventure and feature impressive stabilization and video quality, just like GoPro cameras. And right now, you can get up to 35 percent off certain Insta360 cameras, which is the steepest discount we’ve seen. The deals run through July 17th, so if you’ve been considering an action cam to document your adventures, now would be a good time to pick one up.

Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition $359.99 (was $549.99)

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The Insta360 ONE RS is a unique, modular camera. The Twin Editions comes with a 4K Boost lens for wide-angle videos as well as a 5.7K 360 lens for immersive, 360-degree footage. It utilizes Insta360’s FlowState stabilization for smooth videos, even during jarring activities like mountain biking. And it’s capable of 48-megapixel photos for when you want to grab some stills on your adventures. This deal is for the camera only, but there are also discounts on kits with different accessories listed below.

More Insta360 deals

• Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition Get-Set Kit $441.00 (was $580.99)
• Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition Creator Kit $471.00 (was $619.99)
• Insta360 ONE RS 4K Edition Standalone $239.99 (was $299.99)
• Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition Construction Kit $806.00 (was $848.97)
• Insta360 X3 $426.99 (was $449.99)

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Sony has been primarily focused on full-frame cameras for the past few releases. So it was about time to see a new APS-C offering, and this one sure doesn’t disappoint. The new a6700 takes advantage of the cutting-edge features found in the company’s more expensive full-frame models. And the result is what Sony says is its “most advanced APS-C mirrorless camera to date.” The $1,400 price tag includes a 26-megapixel back-illuminated sensor and BIONZ XR processing engine, providing 4K 120p video capabilities and 11 fps burst shooting. And if that wasn’t enough, Sony also announced a new shotgun mic—the ECM-M1—and a 70-20mm f/4 lens. Here’s what we can expect from this new Sony mic and flagship camera.

Sony a6700 at a glance

• 26 effective megapixels
• 4k video up to 120 fps
• 5-axis stabilization for 5 stops of correction
• 14 stops of dynamic range
• S-Cinetone picture profile
• AI processing unit taken from the a7R V
• Real-time recognition autofocus
• Brand new focusing system with 759 phase-detection points
• 11 fps burst shooting with AF/AE tracking
• Weighs 1.1 pounds with battery and memory card

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What is the Sony a6700?

Sony’s new a6700 is an APS-C interchangeable lens camera. However, instead of playing specifically to beginners like Canon has been of late, the a6700 is an advanced option suitable even for professionals looking for a backup camera or a compact camera for travel. It weighs only 1.1 pounds and measures just measures only 4.8 × 275 × 3 inches. That’s 35 percent smaller than the already tiny Canon R7. And while tiny cameras are typically not very nice to hold, Sony said it improved the grip on this body to make it more comfortable even with the compact size. It certainly looks more robust and comfortable in photos, and we are looking forward to testing it ourselves in the near future.

It utilizes the Sony E mount, meaning you can use any of Sony’s full-frame, crop sensor, and Cinema Line E mount lenses with it.

Sony a6700 mirrorless camera details

Camera body & build

Sony built the a6700 with a magnesium alloy body that is dust and moisture-resistant. Sony redesigned the dials and controls on this camera, and it offers a customizable front dial along with a switching dial for still images, movies, and S&Q modes. In terms of ports, it gets a micro HDMI port and USB-C power delivery. There’s a single SD card slot, which is expected for a camera at this level.

One thing we were glad to see is that the camera offers an eye-level electronic viewfinder. It’s a 2.36 million dot XGA OLED EVF, which Sony says is as bright as A7R V. There’s also a vari-angle 1.03 million dot resolution touchscreen with an intuitive touch interface and the improved menus seen in the most recent Sony cameras.

Sony packed the inside of this camera with some high-end pieces of tech that trickled down from its pricier models. That includes a BIONZ XR processing engine and a back-illuminated sensor, which Sony says is the most advanced 26-megapixel sensor yet. And it also gets the AI processing unit from the a7R V, meaning the autofocus capabilities of this camera punch far above its weight.

Video capabilities

The Sony a6700 is a true hybrid camera and, as such, gets a suite of robust video features. For starters, the 4K footage is oversampled from 6K, resulting in superb quality. It also gets the new slow-motion upgrade that recently came to the ZV-E1 right out of the box, so you’ll be able to shoot 4K 120p or FHD 240p (albeit with a 1.3x crop) right away.

The camera features S-Log3, S-Gamut3.Cone, S-Cinetone and assignable user LUT’s. It provides 14 stops of dynamic range for greater flexibility when editing. Sony also said that there’s a new AE algorithm to detect skin area and control exposure accurately, resulting in an auto exposure that is 20 percent more accurate than before. The AI processing unit also helps with achieving a more accurate white balance. Both of those features could be really big deals for those who don’t want to mess with post-production as much.

On top of all that, there’s also an AI-driven Auto-Framing mode. This mode automatically changes the composition by following the recognized subject. It can zoom to a level you set and pan with you as you move. And it can automatically pan between subjects as well. The auto framing could be incredibly helpful for solo videographers or to just simplify the shooting process, even if you do have extra hands.

The a6700 is fitted with 5-axis stabilization, which results in 5 stops of shake correction. And Sony also fitted the camera with pixel-level shake detection for even better performance.

Sony a6700 still shooting

As a hybrid camera, there are also plenty of appealing specs for photographers. It’s capable of 11 frames per second with both the electronic and mechanical shutter. That burst rate works with AF/AE tracking as well. There is a 1,000 frame jpg buffer, and 59 uncompressed raw buffer.

A unique feature of the a6700 is the anti-flicker shooting. The camera is able to automatically detect flicker from artificial light and then time the shutter to minimize its effect. You can also choose shutter speeds down to 1/10th of a shutter speed to get rid of banding.

Autofocus capabilities

Sony cameras have led the way in regard to autofocus for some time. And this camera is no different. It features a new autofocus system that utilizes 759 phase-detection points for 93 percent coverage of the sensor. And as mentioned, the AI processing unit found in the a7R V made its way to the a6700. This is only the third Sony camera to get an AI process unit, and it enables highly accurate real-time tracking and subject recognition.

The a6000 series already offered human and animal recognition, but now the Sony a6700 can accurately identify humans, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains, and airplanes. It can estimate human poses and see 30 different parts of the human body and is able to differentiate between right and left sides. Sony said that improved Eye AF by 60 percent, which will be interesting to see firsthand. It also said that animal and bird performance is increased by 40 percent, and is able to track head, body, and eyes on a wider range of subjects. Finally, it can recognize and track various vehicles and get as granular as insect heads and bodies.

Sony a6700 pricing & availability

The new Sony a6700 is available for pre-order starting today for $1,398.00 for the body only. It’s also available as a kit with the PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens for $1,498.00 or with the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens for $1,798.00. The camera will begin shipping in early August.

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ECM-M1 mic details

Not to be overshadowed by the fancy new camera, Sony also announced a new compact shotgun microphone. Sony says that it “is the world’s first shotgun microphone with eight dial-selectable audio recording models.” It utilizes four microphone capsules and Sony’s beamforming technology to offer plenty of pickup modes, including true stereo. The ultra-directional mode is ideal for capturing sound from the front within a 30-degree area while suppressing other sounds. This makes it perfect for interviews or self-recording situations.

On the mic, you’ll find a new mode dial with a locking mechanism for easy switching between modes. It features a noise-cut filter to reduce background noise and a low-cut filter to minimize vibration and low-frequency noise. And it supports four-channel recording (on compatible cameras), which allows for safety recording in omnidirectional mode with channels three and four, while you use channels one and two for selected directivity.

The ECM-M1 is compact and lightweight, weighing just 2.3 ounces. And, when paired with a compatible camera, all you need to do to use the mic is clip it onto the Multi Interface Shoe. There’s no need for extra cables or batteries in the mic itself.

ECM-M1 pricing & availability

The Sony ECM-M1 is available for pre-order now for $348.00 and will also begin shipping in early August.

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