It seems that in some shops Olympus XZ-1 is listed as "discontinued product". Anyway, the replacement of the XZ-1 is expected before Photokina - 2012 (within weeks). Olympus XZ-1 is very capable compact camera, and probably Olympus will keep the same design, and hence Olympus XZ-2 will get the same sensor as Panasonic LX7 which is slightly smaller than the sensor used in XZ-1 and LX5. But I still expect to see a compact camera from Olympus with 1' sensor, especially considering current popularity of Sony RX100 and expectation of public (~ demand for 1' sensors in compact cameras). Here is another link to useful lens comparison on dpreview.
Monday 30 July 2012
Sunday 29 July 2012
New X cameras from Fuji
According to PhotoRumors, Fuji X100 is marked as "discontinued" in some shops. It is expected that Fuji will announce new cameras during Photokina - 2012. One probably will be a X100 replacement, and there is a chance that Fuji may release a cheaper model with interchangeable lenses (X-non-Pro1 :)). Maybe there will be more than one X system cameras. Hopefully new camera will be lighter and somewhat smaller than X-Pro1.
Surprisingly, my favorite Brisbane camera shop, Photo Continental, does not have both X100 and X10. Does it mean that the X10 also will be discontinued soon? If so, I wish the company will remove viewfinder, add tilt screen, neutral density filter and use a standard mini-USB port.
Surprisingly, my favorite Brisbane camera shop, Photo Continental, does not have both X100 and X10. Does it mean that the X10 also will be discontinued soon? If so, I wish the company will remove viewfinder, add tilt screen, neutral density filter and use a standard mini-USB port.
Canon EOS M
Finally Canon came out with a mirrorless camera, EOS M. The camera has APS-C sensor and can shoot movies at HD. It has a new mount, EF-M, compatible with EF-* lenses through a adapter. No viewfinder, no build-in flash, fixed screen, few buttons. However, the screen is touch-sensitive. Canon also released two lemses, 20mm f/2.0 pancake and standard 18-55mm IS zoom.
Ken Rockwell named it as "the world's first serious mirrorless camera" but other people are less enthusiastic about it. It does look like an entry-level camera. It might be attractive for current owners of Canon lenses but as stand alone product the camera at least on paper looks very similar to entry-level models from other manufacturers such as Sony or Samsung, and I would say Olympus and Panasonic.
For some compact camera users cameras with bigger sensor and fixed (non-removable) lens would be more attractive than camera with pancake. Sony proved that it is possible to make a small camera with a relatively big sensor (Sony RX100). While it is nice to be able to change the lens, some people prefer to have a compact camera.
Ken Rockwell named it as "the world's first serious mirrorless camera" but other people are less enthusiastic about it. It does look like an entry-level camera. It might be attractive for current owners of Canon lenses but as stand alone product the camera at least on paper looks very similar to entry-level models from other manufacturers such as Sony or Samsung, and I would say Olympus and Panasonic.
For some compact camera users cameras with bigger sensor and fixed (non-removable) lens would be more attractive than camera with pancake. Sony proved that it is possible to make a small camera with a relatively big sensor (Sony RX100). While it is nice to be able to change the lens, some people prefer to have a compact camera.
Saturday 28 July 2012
Editing Fuji X10 RAW files
A couple days ago I reinstalled Windows Vista on our home desktop and updated all photo software. First, I run into "missing libgdk-win32-2.0-0.dll" problem with UFRaw 0.18. The UFRaw does not work if installed with the default options. It does not work if installed in GIMP 2 directory. The problem can be solved by copying all dll files from GIMP 2/bin into UFRaw/bin. At least it works with UFRaw installed into GIMP 2 folder.
But it turned out that the UFRaw 0.18 does not recognize RAF files from Fuji X10: "Corrupt data near 0xc4240". I came across several sites on the web claiming the opposite. Maybe I've done something wrong, or it is possible to upgrade UFRaw somehow...
I also tried the RawTherapee. It does read RAF files from Fuji X10 but in low resolution (6MP mode). I have very limited experience with RawTherapee but I found only one way to get 12MP images from Fuji X10 RAF files processed by RawTherapee: upsampling.
Luckily, I am very happy with Fuji X10 JPEGs, so there is no need for me to learn the SilkyPix, "the best “Digital Darkroom” available in the market".
But it turned out that the UFRaw 0.18 does not recognize RAF files from Fuji X10: "Corrupt data near 0xc4240". I came across several sites on the web claiming the opposite. Maybe I've done something wrong, or it is possible to upgrade UFRaw somehow...
I also tried the RawTherapee. It does read RAF files from Fuji X10 but in low resolution (6MP mode). I have very limited experience with RawTherapee but I found only one way to get 12MP images from Fuji X10 RAF files processed by RawTherapee: upsampling.
Luckily, I am very happy with Fuji X10 JPEGs, so there is no need for me to learn the SilkyPix, "the best “Digital Darkroom” available in the market".
Saturday 14 July 2012
Replace or not replace?
Considering emerging problems with new Fuji X10 sensor (links in my previous post) I would rather keep the original sensor for some time. My Fuji X10 can produce spectacular orbs but as I explained several times, it is not a big issue for me but the noise at low iso will be a big problem considering that I mainly use the weak noise filter.
However, I may not be able to use Fuji X10 for some time. And this is a real problem because I got used to that small camera with very good interface / controls. I do like buttons on cameras, and I am very satisfied with the Fuji X10 in this respect. I have two options: stick with my DSLR for that time or buy another small camera. In fact, I want to use this situation as an excuse to buy a new camera :)
While I do like Fuji X10 I would not buy the second camera for several reasons, and this makes the situation even more complicated because I do like Fuji's JPEGs. Fuji has couple other interesting cameras, X100 and X-Pro1. However, the X100 has/had the sticky blades problem, and I don't want to have this issue after warranty. The X-Pro1 has no obvious issues, but it does not look like a camera I want to buy. I am not a pro. The camera is relatively big and heavy, and it is quite expensive for me. While Fuji may release a cheaper body, I doubt it would happen any time soon. I would prefer to get the "X200" without lens issue but again, it seems that the next version of Fuji X100 would not be released in nearby future.
So, I probably will check other cameras.
However, I may not be able to use Fuji X10 for some time. And this is a real problem because I got used to that small camera with very good interface / controls. I do like buttons on cameras, and I am very satisfied with the Fuji X10 in this respect. I have two options: stick with my DSLR for that time or buy another small camera. In fact, I want to use this situation as an excuse to buy a new camera :)
While I do like Fuji X10 I would not buy the second camera for several reasons, and this makes the situation even more complicated because I do like Fuji's JPEGs. Fuji has couple other interesting cameras, X100 and X-Pro1. However, the X100 has/had the sticky blades problem, and I don't want to have this issue after warranty. The X-Pro1 has no obvious issues, but it does not look like a camera I want to buy. I am not a pro. The camera is relatively big and heavy, and it is quite expensive for me. While Fuji may release a cheaper body, I doubt it would happen any time soon. I would prefer to get the "X200" without lens issue but again, it seems that the next version of Fuji X100 would not be released in nearby future.
So, I probably will check other cameras.
Flamingo Lily. Fuji X10.
Thursday 12 July 2012
Review of Fuji X10 on dpreview
The dpreview published the review of Fuji X10 including comparison of old and new sensors. According to dpreview, noise, sharpness and resolution of new sensor are identical to old one. This is very good news because recently I came across a couple threads on dpreview Fuji forum in which people discussed high noise level in shady areas after sensor replacement.
UPDATE: It seems that the problems with the new sensor have been acknowledged by Fuji UK (link). Hmmm... Exactly what was discussed: high noise at low iso and high dynamic range. Fuji says it can fix the problem by software that need to be installed in service center.
Frankly, I would choose occasional appearance of orbs over high noise at low iso.
So, in summary: according to dpreview, the noise level of new sensor is identical/similar to old one, and according to Fuji "a limited number of sensors may produce a grainy (noisy) image".
There is a good solution for Fuji: to get lottery license. No need for replacement :)
UPDATE: It seems that the problems with the new sensor have been acknowledged by Fuji UK (link). Hmmm... Exactly what was discussed: high noise at low iso and high dynamic range. Fuji says it can fix the problem by software that need to be installed in service center.
Frankly, I would choose occasional appearance of orbs over high noise at low iso.
So, in summary: according to dpreview, the noise level of new sensor is identical/similar to old one, and according to Fuji "a limited number of sensors may produce a grainy (noisy) image".
There is a good solution for Fuji: to get lottery license. No need for replacement :)
Saturday 7 July 2012
Good reading
Kirk Tuck wrote a very good post about popularity of Olympus mirrorless cameras such as OM-D, so I'll keep it as a useful link.
The same logic can be applied to current advanced compact cameras. Some people find the image quality is just sufficient for their needs, and such cameras represent reasonable compromise for usability and quality. I really like size and controls of Fuji X10, and because I rarely shoot in orb-prone conditions I am quite satisfied with the image quality. It does not mean that all people should buy advanced compacts and get rid of DSLRs. But some people will be very happy to do that.
Here are just a couple snapshots of Begonia flowers taken with Fuji X10 on a windy day at iso 250, f4.0, in Supermacro mode. The photos were cropped and resized in GIMP, and unsharpen mask was applied to the final images. For pictures like these I am very happy to carry a compact camera instead of a DSLR.
The same logic can be applied to current advanced compact cameras. Some people find the image quality is just sufficient for their needs, and such cameras represent reasonable compromise for usability and quality. I really like size and controls of Fuji X10, and because I rarely shoot in orb-prone conditions I am quite satisfied with the image quality. It does not mean that all people should buy advanced compacts and get rid of DSLRs. But some people will be very happy to do that.
Here are just a couple snapshots of Begonia flowers taken with Fuji X10 on a windy day at iso 250, f4.0, in Supermacro mode. The photos were cropped and resized in GIMP, and unsharpen mask was applied to the final images. For pictures like these I am very happy to carry a compact camera instead of a DSLR.
Begonia
Begonia
Friday 6 July 2012
More lenses and cameras from Samsung
According to mirrorless rumors Samsung will announce several new lenses including 16-80mm, 50-300mm and 12-24mm. Other sources also mention 45mm (instead of 55mm), new version of 30mm pancake (with iFunction) and 3D lens. Then, there are various rumors about new Samsung cameras, retro styled "NX-R" and another model presumably positioned between NX20 and NX210: no viewfinder, tilt screen. I guess Samsung want to produce something similar to Olympus E-PL3, very popular camera. I wish they put more buttons on it, or add touch screen. It is ironic that the company famous for their smartphones and tablets does not put touch screens on top camera models such as EX2F or NX210 or NX20.
Unfortunately the current Samsung NX cameras are still not available in major Australian shops. I guess the demand for the latest NX cameras was/is higher than anticipated by the company.
Unfortunately the current Samsung NX cameras are still not available in major Australian shops. I guess the demand for the latest NX cameras was/is higher than anticipated by the company.
Tuesday 3 July 2012
Samsung EX2F for $549
According to engadget.com the new camera from Samsung, EX2F, will be priced at ~$550. The lens now goes to ~80mm/f2.7. So, the specs are good: 24mm/f1.4, BSI sensor, Full HD. Can be a very nice camera.
However, it is unclear if the AMOLED display can work as a touch-screen. According to dpreview, the NX20 display is not a touch-screen. The camera has only one Fn button, and no White Balance button. Than the control for exposure metering (spot, full frame) would be hidden in the menu, as well as selection of autofocus points. The move record and exposure lock buttons are placed at the top left of the rear panel, where I probably would press them accidentally. Hard to say without direct testing. Hopefully the white balance is good because there is no dedicated button. The camera has Delete button, so it would erase photos even after zoom-in. I cannot do it on Fuji X10 because the delete function is on mode dial, and it is impossible to assign Delete function to Fn or RAW buttons. Obviously, it is very personal opinion, and the full specs of the camera are still unknown.
However, it is unclear if the AMOLED display can work as a touch-screen. According to dpreview, the NX20 display is not a touch-screen. The camera has only one Fn button, and no White Balance button. Than the control for exposure metering (spot, full frame) would be hidden in the menu, as well as selection of autofocus points. The move record and exposure lock buttons are placed at the top left of the rear panel, where I probably would press them accidentally. Hard to say without direct testing. Hopefully the white balance is good because there is no dedicated button. The camera has Delete button, so it would erase photos even after zoom-in. I cannot do it on Fuji X10 because the delete function is on mode dial, and it is impossible to assign Delete function to Fn or RAW buttons. Obviously, it is very personal opinion, and the full specs of the camera are still unknown.
Monday 2 July 2012
Samsung EX2
The specs of the upcoming EX2 / EX2F high-end compact camera from Samsung have appeared on the web several days ago. It seems that the EX2 has similar sized sensor as his predecessor (EX1/TL500) but it is back-illuminated sensor, so it is reasonable to expect a significant improvement in low-light performance. In addition, the lens is about half-stop brighter, presumably at wide end. It is still has 3x zoom range starting at 24 mm. The number of pixels is slightly higher (12MP), and it has rotating AMOLED screen, apparently the same as on NX20.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)