As the weather chills and the leaves change color, it also means new camera introductions for the holidays. Here are 3 new cameras we're excited to get our hands on and show you. (We are still going gaga over the Canon 70D, but that's another story...)
First off, there's the Leica C, the first model of a new line of Leica digital compact cameras that every stylish, fashion-forward consumer will want to own. A first in Leica’s impressive history of compact cameras, the Leica C camera offers Wi- Fi and Near Field Communication (NFC) which not only allows for remote access of images and videos from a smartphone or tablet but enables the user to view images and watch videos being captured by the Leica C in real-time from their smartphones. Its technical features are impressive, but the sultry beauty of the Leica C is in its slim, sophisticated form. The elegant body of the camera is the work of Audi Design, who were also commissioned to develop the unique range of camera accessories for the Leica C. The Leica C will be available in two stunning finishes—champagne and Bordeaux (shown)—and is complemented by a range of accessories in premium materials that highlight the distinctive, eye-catching looks of the new Leica compact camera line.
The Leica C guarantees images that are particularly rich in detail and is extremely versatile and ideal for every kind of photography—from portraits to wide-coverage shots and capturing the beauty of landscapes. Featuring a high-performance zoom lens, with a range equivalent to 28 to 200 mm in 35 mm format, and an extraordinarily large sensor for its class with a resolution of 12.1 megapixels, the Leica C delivers outstanding image quality, even in unfavorable lighting conditions. Even more creative freedom is provided by a freely programmable ring on its lens. The combination of high-precision optics and a large sensor guarantees outstanding imaging performance and pin-sharp pictures with brilliant, natural colors, clarity and contrast. Thanks to its remarkably fast autofocus and a continuous-shooting mode with up to ten frames per second, the Leica C captures even the tiniest of details. It also offers a wide range of camera functions, various settings, in-camera processing options and an intuitively simple handling concept for flexible and spontaneous photography. This, plus its particularly stylish and elegant compact design, makes the Leica C an ideal companion for all occasions where photos are paramount.
The camera’s full-HD video function allows for even more creative opportunities. The 3" camera monitor offers photographers complete control during exposure and recording. The camera’s integrated viewfinder is an additional aid to composition and assessment of scenes in brightly lit situations. Videos and still pictures alike can be creatively processed either in the camera or with the Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® professional imaging software supplied with the camera. Available sometime in October for $699.
Next in line is the newest update in a series of VERY well regarded & successful cameras -the Canon PowerShot G16!
The PowerShot G16 digital camera builds upon the success of the PowerShot G15 by utilizing some of Canon’s most innovative technologies. The first PowerShot in the G-series to come equipped with built-in Wi-Fi® technology, the G16 has the ability to share images and video to social networking sites such as Facebook®, Twitter®, YouTube®, and Flickr® or via email through the use of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY. Users can also upload images from almost anywhere via their compatible iOS® or Android™ device with the download of the free Canon CameraWindow app.The G16 features a 28-140mm wide-angle lens with an aperture range of f/1.8 – f/2.8, which helps while shooting in low-light conditions or for users who want to create a dramatic shallow depth-of-field with soft backgrounds. The G16 is equipped with Canon’s HS System, which combines a DIGIC 6 image processor and a 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor, allowing for enhanced low-light image quality.
With improved AF times and reduced shooting lag over previous G-series models, the advancements to Canon’s AF system help ensure users never miss a shot. Continuous shooting speeds of up to 9.3 frames-per-second are possible with the PowerShot G16, allowing users to capture images in full resolution as they happen! (We'll check on that when it comes in). The G16 also captures 1080p/60p Full HD video, and includes a built-in stereo microphone and an HDMI output so users have the ability to view videos on their HDTV.The G16 will also also feature new shooting modes to capture breathtaking images day or night. The new Star mode gives users the ability to capture the brilliance and wonder of the night sky through the use of three scene modes. “Star Nightscape” lets users shoot the radiance of stars in a landscape image, while the “Star Trails” mode captures trails of stars to turn them into a luminous still image. “Star Time Lapse Movie” captures continuous still images of the stars and then combines each to create a stunning video replicating the motion of the stars in the night sky.
In addition, the camera’s creative handheld HDR Scene mode automatically combines multiple shots of a scene to help create an image with a greater dynamic range without the necessity for a tripod. HDR Scene mode includes Natural, Art Bold, Art Embossed, Art Standard and Art Vivid options.
For photographers who want the convenience and ease-of-use of a compact camera with the feel of a DSLR, the PowerShot G16 features dials and controls similar to those on Canon’s EOS Digital SLR cameras. It is also compatible with Canon Speedlite flashes and select accessories.
The G16 is scheduled to be available in October 2013 for an estimated retail price of $549.95
And finally, we got a look at this camera last night and LOVED it! Here's the Olympus OM-D EM-1!
In response to the demand for a compact system camera as powerful as a professional DSLR, Olympus just introduced the OM-D E-M1, its new premium flagship camera and worthy Micro Four Thirds successor to the Olympus E-5 DSLR. The E-M1 has a revolutionary design for advanced photographers looking for a high-performance tool in a compact system camera package. The powerful E-M1 is packed with incredible speed and image quality that rivals full-frame DSLRs, in a portable yet lightweight body designed to go anywhere.The OM-D E-M1 now works seamlessly with all ZUIKO Digital lenses, in addition to working with M.ZUIKO Digital lenses, so photographers can enjoy optimum performance of the entire Olympus lens lineup. This is possible due to advanced DUAL FAST AF system that combines both Contrast AF and On-Chip Phase Detection AF. DSLR users familiar with an optical viewfinder will marvel at its electronic viewfinder (EVF) that is as large as a full-frame DSLR viewfinder and has added creative control. Its ergonomic body provides easy access to all manual controls and is ready for action in the most difficult shooting conditions.With the OM-D E-M1, experience the highest image quality of any Olympus camera through the combination of a new 16.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor, a new TruePic VII image processor, and its best-in-class M.ZUIKO lenses. The TruePic VII image processor reduces noise and color fading at high ISOs for improved image reproduction. New Fine Detail Processing II technology configures the appropriate sharpness processing for each individual lens for natural, high-quality resolution, as well as reducing compression artifacts when recording movies.The Olympus OM-D E-M1 includes built-in Wi-Fi, and the set-up is simple. By quickly scanning the QR code displayed on the camera's LCD with a smart device, it syncs with the Wi-Fi network created by the camera. The free Olympus Image Share 2.0 smartphone app synchronizes a user’s smartphone and E-M1 so the camera’s “Live View” is effectively displayed on the phone, and the camera can be controlled by touching the smartphone display as if it were the camera. This is ideal for taking self-portraits, capturing images of wildlife from a distance and sharing images easily online. The E-M1’s remote shooting function has been improved for use in all main shooting modes (P, A, S, M and iAUTO). Users can now wirelessly adjust various settings, such as the shutter speed, aperture value, ISO and exposure compensation, as well as operate the Live Bulb shooting mode from their Wi-Fi devices. They can also use their smartphone to embed GPS information into their images. It will be available in several iterations, starting with the body only (in October) at $1399.00
Each of these cameras can be pre-ordered so if you're interested, call or e-mail us ASAP!
FYI...We're happy to report that our Travel Photography class went really well last night.! We truly thank the 43 folks who braved the wicked rain (in New England speak) and enjoyed David.H.Wells' informative seminar.
Many thanks to David as well as Eric Sives of Olympus & Herb Levinson of Epic Photo Tours for their sponsorship & support. Thanks as well to Mark & John from the Italian Center for their wonderful service.
