Cameras

Sony releases lightest, next-generation AF camera lens

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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FE 70-200mm

Sony Electronics announced the newest lens in their G Master lineup: the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, which takes autofocus (AF) to the most advanced level yet.

The camera lens is poised to deliver an extraordinary combination of resolution and bokeh, as well as unequalled AF performance in the company’s G Master design.

In a nutshell, the advanced features include:

  • Constant F2.8 70-200 mm telephoto zoom
  • Fast, precise and quiet autofocus (AF) continuous AF tracking capabilities
  • Advanced features for video creators
  • World’s lightest 200 mm large-aperture telephoto zoom lens (approximately 29% lighter than the previous model)
  • Up to approximately 4 times faster AF, with focus tracking while zooming improved by approximately 30% when compared to the previous model
  • Professional-level control and reliability

Designed to perfectly pair with Sony’s E-mount camera bodies, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is also the lightest F2.8 70-200 mm zoom in the world to allow for more control amongst photographers.

New levels of performance

The new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II delivers outstanding image quality with high resolution and clarity throughout its zoom range, thanks to its two aspherical lens elements which focus on precision.

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II effectively controls distance-related aberration variations to ensure outstanding resolution throughout the image area.

To avoid color bleeding while reducing chromatic aberration significantly, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II also employs two extra-low dispersion (ED) spherical glass elements and two Super ED spherical glass elements.

Meanwhile, an ED aspherical element, which is a first in the Alpha system lens is driven to simultaneously suppress chromatic and spherical aberration, and other common issues in telephoto lenses.

Smooth, beautiful bokeh shots

With its large F2.8 maximum aperture and a newly developed 11-blade circular aperture unit, smooth and beautiful bokeh is made seamless.

The lens’ advanced optical design including XA elements thoroughly cancels out the unwanted “onion ring” effect, further enhancing the bokeh.

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II also offers excellent close-up performance with deep bokeh. The minimum focusing distance is 15.7 inches (0.4 meters) at 70 mm and 32.3 inches (0.82 meters) at 200 mm. Maximum magnification achieves 0.3x.

Users may even want to pair the new lens with a high-performance 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverter to extend the lens’ focal length to 400 mm at an F5.6 aperture, all while maintaining its G Master quality.

Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II, meanwhile, comes in play to avoid any unwanted flare and ghosting in tricky lighting conditions as it produces a uniform anti-reflection coating on the surface of the lens.

In addition, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II’s optical design also effectively suppresses internal reflections to improve clarity.

Industry-leading autofocus

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II’s state-of-the-art lens technology brings out the best in the advanced camera body it is paired with.

The new lens uses four Sony-original extreme dynamic (XD) Linear Motors for extraordinary fast and precise AF, making it up to approximately 4 times faster and focus tracking improved by 30 percent when compared to the previous model.

When paired with Sony’s flagship Alpha 1, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is capable of high-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 fps.

Fast-moving subjects aren’t a problem too, even in videos, as the lens offers smooth AF to lock and focus on such objects. The AF tracking is also available even when using teleconverters.

Advanced features for video

With its maximum aperture of F2.8 combined with its impressive AF performance and versatile controls, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is an exceptional choice for video too.

The new lens was designed to dramatically reduce focus breathing, focus shift, and axis shift when zooming so that there is minimal unwanted image movement and angle of view variations.

For easy video-use operation, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II features independent control rings for focus, zoom, and aperture (iris), allowing precise manual operation. The aperture ring also has a click ON/OFF switch.

Additionally, Sony’s Linear Response MF ensures a responsive, low-lag manual focus control, while the lens hood features an opening that allows convenient operation of circular polarizing filters or variable ND filters for more creativity.

Designed for professionals

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is the world’s lightest F2.8 telephoto zoom lens and is approximately 29 percent lighter than previous model, weighing just under 37 oz (1,045g).

Aside from being lightweight, the lens is designed to offer professionals ideal balance without much front-heaviness, ensuring the center of gravity falls directly above the tripod mount.

The new lens includes focus functions such as the Full-time DMF, natural and linear manual focus response and a focus-range limiter switch primarily supports professional needs.

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II also includes three customizable focus hold buttons placed 90 degrees apart for easy access and convenient control when shooting in horizontal, vertical, or just about any angle.

Easy control switches

The lens features a click ON/OFF switch and an iris lock switch for quick and flexible aperture control.

The aperture ring click stops can be turned ON to provide more emphasis to shooting stills, or OFF for smooth and silent aperture control filming.

In addition, the zoom ring torque is optimized and now includes image stabilization with MODE 3 for moving subjects.

Durable in tough environments

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is designed to be reliable in even the most challenging environments.

It features dust and moisture resistance equal to the FE 400 mm F2.8 GM OSS and FE 600 mm F4 GM OSS, based on initial feedback from professionals.

The front lens element features a fluorine coating that repels water, oil, and other contaminants, while making it easier to wipe off any contaminants or fingerprints that do become attached to the lens surface.

Pricing and availability

In Singapore, The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II will be available at selected retail shops and online shops from November 2021  For a full list of specs and information,

In the Philippines, it’ll be available soon.

Cameras

Sony launches FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS telephoto zoom lens

Super telephoto zoom lens for hobbyists

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Sony has launched the FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS super telephoto zoom lens tailored for hobbyists and for a competitive price.

The compact and lightweight lens (approx. 654 grams) is meant for 35mm full-frame Alpha E-mount cameras, making it easy to carry to capture subjects that are difficult to appraoch.

This includes birds, sports scenes, and more. Landscape photography unique to super-telephoto lenses can also be enjoyed by making use of the compression effect. This makes the distance between nearby subjects and distant background elements appear closer together.

When used with a teleconverter, users can double the distance they can capture, with the lens supporting focal lengths of up to 800mm or up to 1,200m in APS-C mode.

With the latest optical design incorporating two ED glass elements and two aspherical elements, excellent image quality is achieved across the entire zoom range. These elements reduce chromatic and other aberrations for clear rendering.

Subject shooting can stand out as well in a natural and soft bokeh, with the lens’ 9-blade circular aperture. This makes the lens also ideal for close-up photography of flowers, insects, and other nearby objects.

In addition, the lens features a linear motor drive for fast, precise, and quiet AF performance to help capture moving objects. The lens also supports high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking at up to approximately 120 frames per second when used with the Alpha 9 III.

Built-in optical image stabilization also supports handheld shooting in the super-telephoto range, suppressing camera shake. Users can also utilize the camera body’s Active Mode image stabilization and coordinate image stabilization control.

In Singapore, the Sony FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS will be available by the end of August for SG$ 1,099.

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Accessories

OBSBOT’s Meet Flip is your next best pocketable 4K webcam

Fold the Flip for further protection

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OBSBOT Meet Flip
Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Several months ago, you might remember that OBSBOT revealed the Tiny 3 series of web cameras.

Six months after, they also unveil the all-new Meet Flip. From the name itself, it’s the company’s latest foldable 4K webcam that puts hardware privacy front and center.

Foldable and pocketable

Despite weighing just 37.7 grams, the Meet Flip aims to deliver premium webcam features for all types of users. Be it remote workers, professionals, or content creators.

OBSBOT Meet Flip

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Undoubtedly, the biggest highlight has got to be the webcam’s folding design. Not only it’s portable, it protects your privacy too.

Closing the device physically blocks the lens, giving users a visual confirmation that the camera is no longer active. When it’s time for a meeting, simply unfold it and it’s ready to go.

That lightweight body also features a built-in mounting clip that works with laptops, monitors, and tripods. Users can mount it in landscape, portrait, or even upside-down orientations depending on their setup.

OBSBOT Meet Flip

Despite that absurd amount of lightweightness, the OBSBOT Meet Flip is still able to house a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology. That’s something more commonly found among bigger and higher-end web cameras.

Video Call

Other camera features include:

  • 4K video recording / 30fps
  • 1080p recording / up to 60fps
  • HDR support for challenging lighting
  • Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)
  • 4x digital zoom
  • f/1.8 aperture with ISO 100-6400 support for low-light environments

Beyond just video calls

The OBSBOT Meet Flip isn’t just packed with serious camera hardware, it’s seriously intelligent as well.

The Meet Flip supports AI Auto Framing. This automatically keeps users centered during meetings — regardless if they are presenting alone or with a group. Gesture controls also let users activate framing or adjust zoom without touching the keyboard or mouse.

Video Call

Another standout feature is AI Magic Notes which provides real-time meeting transcription and automatically generates summaries, action items, and key discussion points.

The feature works with Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams through OBSBOT Center. Every webcam includes complimentary transcription of 120 minutes.

With that being mentioned, OBSBOT Center also makes users gain access to software features such as background blur, virtual backgrounds, beauty mode, and picture-in-picture overlays for presentations.

Those who want more advanced controls can enable Smart Eye Tracking, teleprompter support, and manual image adjustments.

Conference Meeting

Audio also gets an upgrade through an intelligent dual-microphone system that offers four recording modes:

  • Directional Mode / solo calls
  • Dual-Directional Mode / interviews
  • Smart Omni Mode / group meetings
  • Pure Audio Mode / unprocessed stereo recording

AI Noise Reduction and Automatic Gain Control are also available across most modes to help improve voice clarity.

OBSBOT Meet Flip

OBSBOT’s Meet Flip is also compatible with mobile devices through the OBSBOT Live app and supports integrations with accessories including Elgato Stream Deck, Nintendo Switch 2, and UVC-to-NDI/HDMI adapters.

Pricing and Availability

The OBSBOT Meet Flip is available starting today for US$119 through OBSBOT’s online store, Amazon US, and select retailers worldwide. Regional pricing may vary.

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Cameras

Sony announces new FX5 full-frame camera

Newly-developed sensor, Open Gate recording, more enhanced capabilities

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Sony has launched the new FX5 full-frame camera in its Cinema Line series with enhanced capabilities.

The camera is equipped with a newly-developed fully stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor and the latest high-speed BIONZ XR2 image processing engine, which includes a dedicated AI processing unit.

When shooting in S-Log3, the camera achieves 15+ stops of dynamic range. The broad latitude and low-noise performance enable seamless roll-off from highlights to shadows and natural texture reproduction, even in high-contrast scenes.

Three Base ISOs of ISO 800, ISO 4000, and ISO 12800 enable low-noise image expression under a wide range of conditions.

Moreover, Dual Gain Shooting function, supported for the first time in the FX series, maximizes the performance of the image sensor to enable smooth gradation reproduction with even wider latitude, while effectively reducing noise without compromising shadow detail.

For the first time in the Cinema Line FX series, the FX5 supports Open Gate shooting, as well as in-camera recording in X-OCN, Sony’s proprietary RAW format.

This includes a variety of scan modes like 17:9, 16:9, and super 35mm. This allows for flexible angle-of-view selection for the user’s creative intent.

The camera is capable of shooting in 5K at up to 60 frames per second, in 4K up to 120 frames per second and in FHD up to 240 frames per second.

These features bring together the Cinema Line look and operability designed to meet the needs of production environments in a compact, highly portable body.

The Sony FX5 will also include two new optional accessories: a detachable OLED viewfinder and an XLR Handle that enables recording in-camera at up to 96 kHz, 32-bit float.

The camera system incorporates expertise that Sony has cultivated through the development of Cinema Line cameras, which have earned high praise from cinematographers and video creators around the world.

Price, availability

The ILME-FX5 with XLR Handle Unit (SG$ 7,199) and ILME-FX5B Body Only (SG$ 6,399) will be available for pre-order until August 9.

The DVF-EL1 OLED Detachable Viewfinder (SG$ 899) and VMC-BNCU1 Timecode Adapter Cable (SG$ 129) will be available after Mid-August.

Meanwhile, the XLR-H2 XLR Handle (SG$ 1,099) will be available by special order.

On July 28, the FX5 will also be on display atThe Arts House At The Old Parliament from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., giving creators the chance to experience it for the first time.

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