Cameras

Sony A9 mirrorless camera makes its way to the Philippines

Published

June 20, 2017

Marvin Velasco

If you want an all-around full-frame mirrorless camera in the smallest package possible, you go for the Sony A7 series. But what if you need more speed — something really fast? You’d have to save up a lot, because the A9 is the next level, but it comes at a heavy cost.

Beginning July 1, Sony Philippines is offering its latest mirrorless camera, the A9, for — get this — PhP 239,999! That’s just a little over the base price of $4,500 in the US. But what sort of technical wizardry justifies such a price tag?

Any serious photographer must already be familiar with the power backing this beast and can stop reading here, but for the less informed, get ready for a large dose of numbers.

The A9 prides itself in having the first full-frame stacked CMOS image sensor. Already confused? Let me explain: By having additional layers of circuitry on the sensor, the A9 can handle image processing and delivery to the memory much faster. It basically allows the system to skip steps in getting the photos to your display.

This leads to a blistering burst of 20 frames per second (FPS) while still being able to autofocus. That’s just four FPS short of cinema-level videos (24fps), so it’s almost like shooting a movie with each frame at a full resolution of 24.2 megapixels! Process that for a moment with your non-stacked brain.

And since this is a mirrorless camera as clearly shown in the photo above, there’s no mirror slapping involved like on a traditional DSLR, meaning there are no distracting and potentially image-ruining vibrations to endure while shooting at max speed.

Sony’s excellent 5-axis image stabilization is once again built in, just in case your hands are too unworthy to handle this monster. And if you’re still unconvinced to splurge on an A9, realize that there’s a grand total of 693 autofocus points covering a remarkable 93 percent of the viewfinder. No cat, dog, or unruly child is going to escape the A9’s sights.

If all else fails, you have an ISO range of 100 to 51200 (expandable from 50 to 204800) to play with, ensuring you’ll always have enough light entering your shots no matter how difficult the lighting situation gets.

My A7 II suddenly looks really stale, but I’m sure owners of every other camera feel the same. That’s how far mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras have come, and the A9 is leading the charge like no other.

SEE ALSO: Sony A7R II Hands-On

[irp posts=”19″ name=”Sony A7R II Hands-On”]

Cameras

Canon announces budget EOS R100 mirrorless camera

A good entry-level choice for creators

Published

May 26, 2023

GadgetMatch

Canon is expanding its full frame mirrorless camera lineup with the announcement of the EOS R100, set for a July 2023 release.

This will give content creators a more affordable option for their needs, while customers looking for their first mirrorless or interchangeable lens camera may also want to start investing with the EOS R100.

The camera comes with an APS-C-sized 24.2MP CMOS sensor which is capable of shooting high-quality images and up to 4K and FHD video recording at 24p and 60p, respectively.

Powered by the DIGIC 8 Image processor, the device can handle general photo tasks. It can work under low light with a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12800.

Its autofocus is also seen to be reliable and accurate, with its Dual Pixel CMOS AF system that allows users to shoot even fast-moving subjects.

The camera also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity so users can access content easily.

Price, availability

The Canon EOS R100 will be available by July 2023 starting at US$ 479.99 for the body.

When paired with the RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM value lens, the package will cost US$ 599.99.

For those who want to shell out extra bucks, the camera will retail for US$ 829.99 with both the RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM lenses.

Cameras

Fujifilm releases X-S20 vlogging camera, lens, XApp

Making content creation more seamless

Published

May 26, 2023

GadgetMatch

Fujifilm released two new products during its X Summit Bangkok 2023 event to give content creators and vloggers more equipment to choose from.

First is the X-S20 digital camera, which succeeds the X-S10. The compact and lightweight vlogging camera comes equipped with the latest processor technology — X-Processor 5 — as well as improved battery life.

Along with its in-body image stabilization (IBIS), the camera comes with an updated AF algorithm.

For instance, the Product Priority and Background Defocus shooting modes gives users more leverage for stills.

It also has the new “Vlog” mode that shall benefit creators, casual photographers, and even hobbyists.

The camera is capable of shooting 4K at 60fps, and FHD at up to 240fps. The device also has dual 3.5mm jacks, meaning a microphone and headphone can both be inserted at the same time.

New ultra-wide lens

Complementing the camera is the new Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR UWA ultra-wide lens which comes with a field of view of over 120 degrees to capture vast backgrounds.

What’s great about the lens is that when it’s set at 36cm at f/8, everything can also be focused.

With low breathing, the lens is capable of fast auto-focus that can barely be noticed when it changes. This makes the lens a handy video shooting companion.

The built-in 62mm filter thread also allows users to add readily available filters, such as ND filters for wide apertures in bright conditions.

Fujifilm Xapp: Shoot from your phone

Fujifilm is also introducing the Fujifilm XApp, which makes tasks even more seamless for creators.

By simply connecting via Bluetooth, cameras like the X-S20 can wirelessly transfer images on a smartphone device.

The camera can even be operated remotely from the app. Users can take photos or videos without even pressing the shutter or holding the camera itself.

The app also has a liveview shooting feature, in case one needs to see what’s on the frame from a bigger screen instead of the viewfinder — in real-time.

Cameras

Canon is looking for a smartphone partner

Who will it be?

Published

May 22, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

The world of cameras has been changing. For the past few months, the biggest names in the industry pulled out of the DSLR market to focus on mirrorless cameras. Of course, handheld cameras aren’t the only marketable products for a camera company. There are smartphones, too. According to a rumor, Canon is looking into a smartphone partnership for the future.

According to Digital Chat Station from Weibo, the camera company is actively searching for a partnership with a smartphone maker. Unfortunately, that’s it. The leaker has not revealed anything else regarding the company’s efforts to pursue partners.

However, it should be noted that camera companies have found a modicum of success in lending their talents to smartphones. OPPO, for example, recently inked a partnership with Hasselblad. Xiaomi also partnered with Leica around the same time. ZEISS, despite breaking up with Nokia last year, still has a partnership with vivo.

Given how the above companies volleyed between different smartphone companies, there are some potential names for a partnership with Canon. Nokia is one. There are also several Chinese companies who don’t have a co-engineered camera yet.

A partnership with Canon should spice things up for the smartphone company who gets the rub. Today, smartphone photography is just as important as actual hardware.