Canon rebates

Those are the current Canon rebates offered by B&H:

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Samyang 35 mm f/1,4 AS UMC lens price and availability announced

Samyang 35 mm f/1,4 AS UMC

Samyang announced the price and availability of the their latest 35 mm f/1,4 AS UMC lens: €389 (around $540) and it will start shipping in February 2011. They also published a MTF graph:

Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC lens MTF graph

Samyang 8 mm f/3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye and Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF MC lenses will also be available for Samsung NX mount.

In the US, Samyang products can be purchased on eBay.

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Sony updated their statement on A55 and A33 sensor overheating during video recording

Sony updated their previous statement on sensor overheating during video recording – now in some cases the sensor will shut off after only 3 minutes:

Sony sensor overheating during video

Source: Sony

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Sony creates world’s first 16.41MP Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor for mobile phones

Sony announced world’s first 16.41MP Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor for mobile phones:

lens module on the left, actual sensor on the right

Main features of the new sensor:

  • CMOS image sensor with the world’s first*1 16.41 effective megapixel resolution for use in mobile phones. (“IMX081PQ”) -adopts formation technology used to create industry’s smallest*11.12µm unit pixel
  • Realizes high sensitivity and low noise through back-illuminated structure.
  • Adopts Sony’s proprietary “Column-Parallel A/D Conversion Technique”, providing each column within the sensor with its own A/D converter, achieving high frame rates of 15 frame/sec (in all-pixel scan mode) and Full-HD video taking capability.
  • The industry’s smallest and thinnest*1 lens module equipped with CMOS image sensor, lens and auto-focus functions in which the pixel structure and lens are optimally designed. (“IU081F”)
  • Approximately twice as sensitive as a conventional front-illuminated CMOS image sensor by combining back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and bright lens with small f-number. (“IU105F2”)
  • Equipped with 28mm wide-angle lens (35mm conversion) which is convenient for daily shooting.

Some sample images:

Full press release after the break:

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Sony will hold a press event on October 12th for a new mirrorless product

According to the Japanese site Sankeibiz, Sony has scheduled a press event on October 12, 2010 to to unveil a new mirrorless product:

Speculations are that Sony may announce a new NEX model (NEX 7?) for the holiday shopping season (unlikely) or some kind of a new accessory for the existing NEX models.

Via sony-alpha.saloon.jp

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Now you can bring your PhaseOne 645DF underwater

Nauticam will offer an underwater housing (NA-645DF) for PhaseOne 645DF medium format camera. The price will be $9900 and it will start shipping on October 22. Full press release after the break:

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Sony A77 and A750 with two semi-transparent mirrors?


This diagram describes a new camera system with two semi-transparent mirrors and a high-resolution EVF that will be implemented in the next a77 and a750 models from Sony:

Yesterday Sony explained the new system that will be used for the incoming a77 (the a750 will use a regular SLR design). Practically the are using two semi-transparent mirrors and a high-resolution EVF to reinforced the live image. They are using a reflexive technology design called 70/30, between each semi-transparent mirrors. The final image in the viewfinder will have 30% of original image and 70% of electronic reinforced image through the new EVF.”

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Sigma SD1 will not capture video, future models may

Dpreview published an interview with Sigma COO Kazuto Yamaki, Foveon VP for Technology and Operations Shri Ramaswami and VP for Strategic Marketing Rudy Guttosch about the Foveon X3 sensor in the 46MP Sigma SD1 DSLR. The interview is rather technical, but here are some interesting points:

  • Sigma SD1 will not have video, but they may consider it in future models.
  • Sigma makes all of their cameras in house and doesn’t outsource to other manufacturers.
  • Quote: “There are two challenges during the development process – improvements in the sensor and improvements in the image processing. We can guarantee that there will be improvements in both [noise and dynamic range] over the previous generation but we can’t yet say by how much.”
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Sony looks for 2nd place in the interchangeable lens cameras market in Korea

According to Korea Times, Kimihiro Itoki (head of Sony business unit in Korea) said in a recent news conference in Seoul that “Sony looks to edge Nikon for second-place in the interchangeable lens cameras market here, including both the DSLR and the new breed of high-quality shooters, by the end of next year, to gain on Canon – the latest Alpha models will help us claim and solidify the second-position in Korea’s interchangeable lens digital cameras market and narrow the gap with Canon”.

Sony currently has 40% of the mirrorless market in Korea with their Sony NEX system.

According to Samsung, the mirrorless market will grow 60% annually and will surpass DSLR sales in 2013.

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This is the new Panasonic Lumix Phone

It all started with a teaser few days ago and now we have it – the new Panasonic Lumix Phone. The dedicated Japanese website got updated with some pictures but no further details are available:

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