What you may have missed this week:
“Enhanced with built-in phase detection pixels, Super CCD EXR is the first sensor in the world with both contrast and phase detection auto focus. F300EXR harnesses this power with an innovative hybrid AF system that intelligently selects between the two focus systems. In most scenes and especially dark scenes, conventional Contrast AF captures beautiful results, but struggles to find a focus when shooting high-contrast subjects or with a long zoom. Only F300EXR with Hybrid Auto Focus can instantly switch to the speed and accuracy of Phase Detection AF for these scenes. Even at maximum 15x zoom when subject is moving and the moment is fleeting, you won’t miss the shot!
Phase detection sensor pairs on the EXR sensor work like the sensors of a DSLR. Unlike slower Contrast AF which continually adjusts until maximum contrast is detected. Phase Detection AF divides incoming light into image pairs, performs a single calculation of the phase difference to determine the precise direction and amount of focus adjustment achieving an incredible auto focus detection speed of 0.158* seconds.”
As previously reported the 3D effect is achieved by a 3D adapter that attaches to the front lens:
The leak came from Panasonic’s own website again:
Via Engadget
An update to the previous news from Reuters that Canon is working on a “smaller version of its upmarket single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras”. This is the statement Masaya Maeda (head of the Image Communication Products division) made to Reuters on this topic:
“It’s not a question of whether or not you have a mirror. There is a consumer need for good-quality cameras to be made smaller,” Maeda said. “We will meet this need.”He denied this would be difficult without removing the internal mirror, adding that Canon had produced very small SLR cameras in the past.
This is a “sticky post” – I will leave it on top for few days to gather some feedback. Scroll down for the latest PhotoRumors updates. There is a poll embedded in this post – please vote:
I will be testing white background on PhotoRumors this weekend. I still have to make some small adjustments. I would like to know what do you think – should I keep the old (black) background or change it to white:
The 3D camcorder from Panasonic that is expected to be announced next week was already introduced in few countries behind closed doors. The 3D part of the solution will involve some kind of adapter that will attach to front of the lens. Still not sure if this adapter will be compatible with older/existing models or it will be introduced together with a new video camera.
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Just a reminder that if you want to send pictures/screenshot anonymously to PhotoRumors.com, you can do so by uploading the image to Bayimg and then email me the link (see here for more details).
Carl Zeiss posted this message on their Facebook page about a new Sony lens that is suppose to be announced next Tuesday (July 27th):
“Sony will present the new Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM next Tuesday. It is intended to appeal to experienced photographers looking for a large-aperture wide-angle lens of real distinction. The Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z) features the acclaimed Carl Zeiss Distagon design and rounds out the existing Planar (SAL85F14Z
) and Sonnar (SAL135F18Z
On the DSLR front, the Sony A550 is listed as discontinued in Japan (this model was announced in August of 2009, Sony seems to have 12 months refresh cycle on this product line – a new version is expected at Photokina) :
An update from PCWord (yep, we are talking about consumer camcorder):
The camcorder, details of which are not yet available, will be shown at a Tokyo news conference scheduled for July 28, the company said Wednesday. It will be the first 3D-capable camcorder for the consumer market from a major manufacturer.
Akihabaranews reports that Panasonic will announce a new 3D camcorder next week. No further details are known at that point.
Panasonic already has a professional 3D camera – the AG-3DA1:
According to the Korean site Ddaily (in English) Samsung will release a new APS-C sensor based NX100 model and three new lenses on September 14, 2010 (right before Photokina).
Last month Samsung NX100 listing made a brief appearance on Samsung Imaging website.
Via Samsunghub
Few hours after Panasonic, Samsung announced two new dual view point and shoot cameras – the ST100 and the ST600. In case you are interested:
Fuji did the same thing – two new p&s models:
) and Sonnar (
) models also developed in conjunction with Carl Zeiss. It functions as a wide-angle 24mm lens on full-frame cameras with 35mm sensors, or as a 36mm equivalent lens ideal for general use on cameras with APS-C sensors. Jointly developed with Carl Zeiss, it features the highly-regarded Carl Zeiss Distagon retro-focus lens configuration designed for wide-angle lenses.”