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Sony's full-frame mirrorless cameras finally have some competition
Since the launch of the A7 and A7R in 2013, Sony has had virtually no competition in the full-frame mirrorless space. Major players like Canon, Nikon and Panasonic were keeping their focus on other camera formats, such as APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, point-and-shoots and full-frame DSLRs. But that's all starting to change. At Photokina 2018, Panasonic introduced its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Lumix S1R and S1, which feature 47- and 24-megapixel sensors, respectively. While these are still in development and likely won't launch until next year, the fact that Panasonic has finally given in and is making a full-frame mirrorless shows Sony is about to start facing some serious competition. It validates all the efforts the company's been making in that market for the past few years, leading up to the gold standard that's its latest model, the A7 III.
The new mirrorless cameras you can buy soon
Photokina 2018 has been great for camera fans, particularly those who love mirrorless shooters. At the event in Cologne, Germany, we saw a few new models from big players like Fujifilm and Panasonic -- some medium format, others full frame. Whatever system you prefer, there's no doubt you won't have any shortage of options if you're looking to buy a mirrorless camera in the near future. There already plenty of great ones in stores right now, such as Sony's A7 III, but Photokina brought us more mirrorless cameras to look forward to. Let's take a look at the best of them.
Fujifilm shakes it off with a Taylor Swift-themed instant camera
Fujifilm is no stranger to collaborating with people from other industries, particularly when it comes to its instant cameras. A couple of years ago, the company worked with designer Michael Kors on a special, fashionable edition of the Instax Mini 70, and now it's enlisting none other than Taylor Swift to help it sell its retro cameras. Pictured above is the Taylor Swift Edition of Fujifilm's first analog square-format shooter, the SQ6, which was apparently designed by the pop star herself.
A closer look at Fujifilm's GFX 50R and GFX 100 medium format cameras
We knew coming into Photokina 2018 that Fujifilm had some big plans for the event, and the company did not disappoint with its announcements. Aside from introducing the Instax Square SQ20, Fujifilm's had two major reveals at the show: the GFX 50R and GFX 100. These are medium format mirrorless cameras, powered by system Fujifilm likes to call Super Full Frame, that come with large sensors and a hefty price tag. The GFX 50R, for starters, is essentially a successor to the GFX 50S from 2017, which was $6,500 when it launched. Inside, it's nearly identical to the 50S, sporting a 51.4-megapixel sensor, 100-12,800 ISO range a 400-shot battery capacity and a weather-sealed body.
Fujifilm's Square SQ20 is an ideal modern instant camera
Over the past few years, Fujifilm has been trying hard to make instant cameras a thing again. And the company has introduced yet another model at Photokina 2018. The Instax Square SQ20 follows the SQ10 from 2017, featuring a similar hybrid instant system that lets you print out Polaroid-style photos while simultaneously giving you access to a small touchscreen. That retro tech combined with digital features is what makes Fujifilm's SQ line appealing to new and old generations alike.
Fujifilm's rotating lens projector adjusts to your viewing space
If you need to adjust your projector to get a better picture or beam to a different part of the room, you don't have many choices -- you might only have slight adjustments to the lens itself, and might have to move the entire projector in some cases. And that's assuming you can move it at all. Fujifilm will soon have a solution, though, as it's developing the first projector with a two-axis rotatable lens. The design lets you not only fine-tune the placement, but dramatically change the direction without having to move the whole unit. You could project on the living room wall for movie night and switch to the ceiling when you're resting on the couch, or stuff a projector into a narrow space while maintaining a horizontal aspect ratio.
Fujifilm shows off an insane 100-megapixel medium format camera
The GFX 50R isn't the only new camera Fujifilm is unveiling at Photokina 2018. As rumored, the company has also introduced the GFX 100, a ridiculous 100-megapixel medium format mirrorless shooter. Fujifilm says that its GFX 100 will be the world's first medium format and mirrorless camera with a 100-megapixel sensor, and it will have in-body image stabilization and 4K video.
Leica's new app lets you control your camera with a smartphone
We know Leica is planning to announce some cameras at Photokina 2018, but before it gets to that, the company has revealed a new app for owners of its current shooters. The Fotos application, which will work for iOS and Android when it launches, is going to let Leica users to control their camera remotely with a smartphone and do things like touch to focus.
Sony is working on 12 new lenses for its Alpha mirrorless cameras
Now that Canon and Nikon are eager to get a piece of the mirrorless camera market, Sony is letting it be known that it isn't slowing down its efforts in the space anytime soon. The company announced at Photokina 2018 that it has 12 new E-Mount lenses in its roadmap, which will increase the number of native glass for its Alpha shooters from 48 to 60. Just last week, Sony introduced the FE 24mm f/1.4 GM, a full-frame format lens priced at $1,400.
We're live from Photokina 2018!
While Canon and Nikon have already unveiled their long-awaited full-frame mirrorless cameras, there are other big players that may be looking to enter the category next. We're in Cologne, Germany for Photokina 2018, where rumor has it Panasonic is set to reveal a full-frame mirrorless shooter of its own -- though it could just be a prototype, with an actual launch not expected until 2019. Fujifilm, for its part, is reportedly preparing to announce another medium-format camera, one with a massive 100-megapixel sensor. Then there's Sony, which could reveal a high-end APS-C model inspired by its A9 full-frame mirrorless. Stay tuned, because it's going to be a busy week of camera news in Germany. Follow all the latest news from Photokina 2018 here!
Ricoh adds a new lens and sensor to its lightweight GR III
Richoh's GR series is notable for combining its small, lightweight frame with a large APS-C sensor that the company claims makes it "the ultimate street photography camera." However, after a GR II refresh in 2015 to add WiFi and NFC, some of its features have lagged behind the latest camera technology available. Today at the Photokina event we're meeting the GR III which adds a "newly designed lens, image sensor and imaging engine" to the mix that should keep it as a competitive option at sub-$1,000 prices. We only have a single picture to judge by, but the design doesn't appear to have changed from its previous model The sensor has been upgraded from 16 MP to 24.2 MP, it has a USB-C connection and there's a new software interface to make it easier to use. It will be available in early 2019, but so far there's no word on exactly how much it will cost.
A first look at Sony's Alpha A99 II
In the past year alone, Sony launched three major E-mount cameras: the full-frame A7S II and A7R II, along with the A6300 -- all impressive mirrorless models. So you might think it was losing interest in its A-mount single-lens translucent (SLT) series, having just launched one, the entry-level A68, late last year. At Photokina, however, Sony unveiled the Alpha A99 II, the long-awaited successor to its flagship A99 model.
30 minutes with Fujifilm's medium-format mirrorless GFX 50S
Fujifilm made the biggest splash at Photokina with the GFX 50S, a mirrorless camera with a giant sensor stuffed into a fairly compact body. When it arrives early in 2017, the company will be in the weird position of having APS-C and medium-format cameras, but no full-frame model. So, it's a big risk: Fujifilm is introducing a new format, complete with brand new lenses, and hoping that the market is open to the idea.
A first look at Nikon's KeyMission 360 VR action camera
Nikon may have pro photographers in the bag with its line of DSLRs, but the point-and-shoot market has all but disappeared, leaving in its wake action cams from GoPro and others. This year at Photokina, it's showing off the KeyMission range, which features the life-logging KeyMission 80, the GoPro-aping KeyMission 170 and, most interestingly, the VR video-producing KeyMission 360. We took a closer look at the latter, although our experience was confined to looking and feeling our way around the device, and watching some sample footage.
A closer look at Olympus' OMD-EM II flagship mirrorless camera
Is Olympus hampered by its micro four-thirds sensor when mirrorless rivals have APS-C and Fujifilm just launched a medium-format camera? I had a look at the company's new OMD-EM1 Mark II flagship during Photokina, and the company is doing its best to prove it's not. By marrying a brand-new 20.4-megapixel sensor to a dual quad-core TruePic VIII image processor, Olympus has made a blazingly quick camera. Combined with a new 121-point phase detection AF system, It can shoot 18 RAW frames per second in continuous autofocus and exposure mode, and a crazy 60 frames per second with those locked off.
Fujifilm and Michael Kors made a fashionable instant camera
Fashion designer Michael Kors wants to make a mark on the tech world. Less than a month after the debut of his brand's Access Android Wear watches, a new product is being born from partnership with a popular camera maker. Meet the Michael Kors x Fujifilm Instax Mini 70, an instant film shooter that's geared toward fashionistas everywhere. Or, really, anyone who feels nostalgic and wants a camera that reminds them of the good ol' days. The MK edition of Fujifilm's Instax Mini 70 features gold tones, a 60mm lens, flash and viewfinder -- nothing shocking there.
Canon makes big strides with its fast-focusing mirrorless M5
Canon's 24.2-megapixel M5 is its best mirrorless camera yet, but is that enough? The company is playing to its strengths by giving the new model classic Canon DSLR-like styling and, finally, a 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder. It also has a new image processor and "Dual Pixel" AF that focuses five times quicker than before. However, the M5 is yet more proof that it entered the mirrorless camera game much too late. Unlike Panasonic and Sony models in the same price range, it lacks 4K video and makes do with 1080p, 60fps shooting instead. The DSLR-like body style is not its strong point either, compared to nicer-looking options from Fujifilm and Olympus. Still, it should appeal to Canon owners, who can use their existing lenses with an optional adapter, and it's interesting enough to at least give mirrorless buyers pause. However, Canon is going to need to advance its mirrorless program, stat, or it risks staying behind fast-advancing rivals. Aaron Souppouris contributed to this report. We're live all week from Cologne, Germany, for Photokina 2016. Click here to catch up on all the news from the show.
Leica's Sofort instant camera is better than it looks
A $300 Leica? An instant Leica? Strange things are afoot. We were a little taken aback by the announcement of the Sofort, a $300 instant camera from the storied German camera brand. It doesn't look very... Leica-y, and instant cameras aren't really known for the level of quality that the Leica dot typically signifies. Nonetheless, when the opportunity arose to spend some time with the Sofort at Photokina 2016, we jumped on it. After roughly 30 minutes, I came away pretty impressed with the Sofort. It looks a lot better in person than the promotional images suggested, with a solid, albeit plasticky, build and decent handling. The lens, according to the representative I spoke to, is Leica made, and fixed at 60mm. That translates to about 34mm on a full-frame camera, which is a nice all-round focal length. Being a film camera, there's no display for previewing images, meaning you need to peer through a viewfinder to frame your photos. From there, you can choose from numerous scene presets including selfie and macro modes. There's also a mirror on the front to held you frame your face correctly.
Hasselblad's V1D camera concept is a modular dream
With Project Ara, Google learned how to build a modular smartphone, and then discovered that nobody actually wants one. Cameras are different, though -- photographers love to accessorize with battery grips, handles, DSLR rigs and more. Hasselblad takes that a step farther with its customizable V1D medium-format concept. You start with a "black box" camera (with the form of a classic Hasselblad V) then add an electronic viewfinder, handles and controls wherever they suit you. The idea is just a dream for now, but Hasselblad is soliciting feedback here at Photokina and might actually build it one day. Aaron Souppouris contributed to this report. We're live all week from Cologne, Germany, for Photokina 2016. Click here to catch up on all the news from the show.
Olympus' PEN E-PL8 is a stylish Micro Four Thirds camera
It wasn't too long ago that Olympus introduced its PEN-F camera, and now the company is following that up with a less expensive retro-looking model. Meet the PEN E-PL8, a Micro Four Thirds shooter with a 16.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor, a new TruePicTM VII sensor, 3-axis image stabilization and an ISO range of 100-25,600. Since it is an entry-level PEN, the E-PL8 doesn't capture videos in 4K, although you can record 1080p at 24 and 30 fps. You also have WiFi connectivity, which will let you transfer images to a smartphone or tablet through Olympus' mobile app. It'll hit stores in October for $550 body-only, or $100 for the kit with a 14-42mm lens. Not bad if you want a stylish, compact camera.
