Modular lenses

Fujifilm recently announced a teleconverter lens for Fuji X100 / X100S that would change the focal length to ~50mm (full frame eqv). I am curious if it would be possible to implement some sort of a modular lens design for such cameras. Put the part of lens involved in autofocus into a camera body, and make the front part detachable. This might reduce the size of camera and converter combos. The only minus I see is a more expensive body. The positive moments: sensor will be sealed, a leaf shutter can be used. 

From RX100 to RX200

In these days many digital cameras have a very short "shop life". The model turnover is fairly fast, especially for compact cameras. On top of it, compact cameras are squeezed out by mobile phones or smartphones at low end and by affordable  mirrorless cameras and entry-level DSLRs. There are some exceptions, such as Fujifilm X100, a niche camera that kept the same price for about two years. But this post is not about Fuji, but Sony.

Sony RX100 is a very interesting camera. It is very compact but it is build around 1" sensor, The 1" sensor is twice bigger than the sensors used in Fuji X10 or X20. Nikon 1 cameras are also build around 1" sensors. Most other compact cameras have smaller sensors.

Does the sensor size matter? The answer is Yes and No. Yes, because big sensors have more pixels with the same technology (aka pitch size), so the resolution can be higher. No, because the sensor technology is evolving very fast, so sensors can have higher pixel density with litre or no sacrifice in quality.  Subject separation, aka depth of field depends on sensor size, too. That is why in compact cameras everything is in focus while full frame DSLRs such as Nikon D800 with proper lens creates a nicely blurred background. The narrow depth of field is a big problem in "nature macro" photography because objects (flowers, bugs etc) are big, and generally some parts are out of focus. This is why advanced compact cameras are very popular for the macro photography. On other hand, image quality on cameras with a small sensor is not as good as on a DSLR, especially in low contrast areas.

Enter Sony RX100. The sensor is at least twice bigger than in most other compact cameras. The camera is smaller and lighter than any Nikon 1 camera with zoom lens. There is no other compact camera with such specification at the moment. The result? Sony RX100 announced in June 2012 is still priced at ~$650 in the US and ~$700 here in Australia. At the time of writing it is the most expensive model among 20 most popular compact cameras on Amazon. Well done, Sony! It is an innovative product, and people do pay for this type of things.

The RX100 was build as compact as possible. The sacrifices: the lens is a bit slow at the tele end, the distortion is very pronounced but it is corrected automatically. It has no viewfinder. In some sense the design of RX100 is opposite to Fuji X10 or X20. Fuji models have very good lens, amazing camera controls aimed on enthusiast photographers, and a viewfinder, but the cameras are relatively big. It is good to have choice. I've got the X10. 

Now with all these rumors about a premium Sony camera build around 1" sensor (link to my post on RX200), I am on the fence again. I do not upgrade my cameras very often. I do like X20 slightly more than X10 (based on specs) but for me the difference is not big enough to justify $600+. However, high end 1" compact camera is one of the thing I am dreaming of.  

Nikon A is DxOMarked

Nikon Coolpix A was tested and scored by DxOMark.  I don't know how these numbers are related to photography but some people might be interested. I am surprised to see how well an old Fuji X100 (announced in 2010) holds against the new Nikon. While sensor in Nikon A wins in every aspect, the difference is not huge. Current Australian price of Fuji X100 is about $850, and I expect Nikon A will be priced way over $1200 in local shops, probably higher than Fuji X100S. Obviously, the cameras are very different. The Fuji is not pocketable, the focal length is different, and so on. People interested in compact camera with 28nn (eqv) lens will be happy. But the current price of Fuji X100 is very tempting...

I tried Fuji X100 in local shop long time ago. The camera is a bit heavy for my taste. It is very comfortable, and the viewfinder is very good, but personally I prefer a slightly lighter camera. I've bought X-E1, not X-Pro1, and both size and weight were important factors influencing my choice. Would I sacrifice hybrid viewfinder in favour of EVF on X100-type camera? It is hard to say because I have not used X100 or X100S. I know that on Fuji X-E1 the electronic viewfinder is very comfortable to my eyes, and the optical viewfinder on Fuji X10 is not really helpful, and very painful. Yes, the viewfinders on X10 and X100 are apples and veggies, not even oranges. But it seems that Fuji X-E1 is more popular than X-Pro1, so it is not unreasonable to suggest that "enthusiast" version of X100S (Fujifilm X100E) with a standard EVF and smaller, lighter body can be very popular. I like thickness of Fuji X100, but don't mind to see the body slightly reduced in other dimensions, similar to X-Pro1 > X-E1 evolution.

Mirrorless in 2013

Rainforest at Bithongabel | Fuji X-E1 & XF18-55mm

I am taking rest after walk in Lamington national park. It is my "resting" writing :)

The previous year was fairly intense for mirrorless cameras.  Companies such as Panasonic, Olympus, Sony and Fujifilm had released advanced CSC models. Olympus OM-D E-M5 became the first mirrorless system camera democratically selected as the best camera of the year.

What to expect in 2013? Will it be quiet year or it will bring a lot of agitation to photographic community and numerous "rumors" sites?

It depends. In 2013 I expect to see ubiquitous introduction of a hybrid autofocus in mirrorless cameras. Just announced Samsung NX300 got this feature, and rumored Fuji X100s probably also will use it. So, the autofocus on new mirrorless cameras will be better. Olympus is expected to release the "pro hybrid" m43 camera that can work with 43 lenses. I mean fast autofocus here. Fujifilm probably will upgrade X-Pro1 model and address the focus speed. Two camera giants probably will take mirrorless market seriously in 2013 and release advanced models. Nikon is the only prominent camera maker without big-sensor mirrorless camera. Canon might add something to the existing EOS M. Obviously, Sony and Panasonic will make new good cameras :)

The new lenses for CSC models will appear in 2013. This is crucial for Fuji's X mount but it might look like a comprehensive system after release of wide and tele lenses later this year. IMHO, Olympus needs good standard kit zoom. The available options are either need a strong distortion correction or just too slow.

I am not interested in full frame mirrorless but many people are excited about this thing.

Toolona creek circuit | Fuji X-E1 & XF18-55mm

Why compact cameras with 1' sensor are imminent

Mid-summer sunset in Brisbane. Fuji X10, sunset mode + GIMP

Sometimes the sunset colors are just unbelievable. I had just few minutes to go outside and take some pictures. I wish I would have a better position.

Anyway, lets talk about cameras and sensors. Sony RX100 is now listed as best selling camera on Amazon, and nearly all top threads on Sony Cameras forum on the dpreview are dedicated to this model. In Australia the RX100 is more expensive than Canon G1X (based on prices in Photo Continental, my favorite camera shop in Brisbane). People are ready to pay premium for such innovative products.

 So, who will produce next compact camera with 1' sensor? Who will combine 1' sensor with good optics (bright lens, sharp across the frame). I would bet on Olympus. They can get sensor from Sony.

Nikon probably will not do that because such camera will compete with the Nikon 1. Canon used bigger sensor in G1X, and it is unlikely that the company would design optics for another sensor size instead of new mirrorless lenses. Panasonic can do it but the company just released the latest advanced compact with smaller sensor, so they need to make a new sensor and design the camera. Pentax does not have advanced compact at the moment. Ricoh probably can do it, but probably without zoom. Samsung can do it but not any time soon. Fujifilm is busy with X100 replacement, new mirrorless system camera and the X10 sensor replacement. I wish they would put such big sensor (1') behind X10-like lens.

Nikon D800 as an ultimate DSLR

Nikon has tripled the number of pixels in transition from D700 to D800 but as guys at the dpreview pointed out people need the best lenses to get the most from the D800. It means that next step in resolution/number of pixels will be limited by lenses. It is possible to have 24 megapixels on APS-C sensor and get some gain in resolution with prime lens at low iso over 16 mp sensor but the difference is not huge. The D3200 might be a smart move for Nikon to sell the camera based on megapixel and logical replacement for 14 mp sensor but I don't see any reason to change 16 mp camera (D5100) for 24 mp unless the resolution is really the top priority.

It seems that the camera makers essentially made ultimate cameras with APS-C and full frame sensors. At this stage the upgrades probably will be minor. Even now not every D700 owner want to go for D800, and I doubt that there will be mass exodus of Canon users to Nikon because of higher resolution of D800 over the 5DMkIII. I suspect that in couple years there will be a drop in DSLR sales just because people will change the cameras less frequent.

In meantime, the mirrorless system cameras are on the rise...

invest in lenses not in bodies (SI)

Pentax is the only company that made mirrorless camera directly compatible with SLR lenses but at least now their mirrorless are not really popular. Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony - all come with new mount. Obviously, it is possible to use essentially any lens on any mirrorless camera with adapter but this combination generally is bulkier than the proprietary lens. Just compare standard zooms for Nikon DLSR and Nikon 1. Why anyone would "invest" in (D)SLR lenses now? No doubt DSLRs from Nikon and Canon are superior to mirrorless cameras but mirrorless segment is growing fast. It is also very innovative: Samsung added WiFi, Fuji came with new color filter, Panasonic made arguably the best mirrorless camera for video, GH2, Olympus just released their best mirrorless camera so far. For people like me the mirrorless cameras are more attractive than DSLR: I don't need super-fast autofocus but would prefer to have small and light camera. 

I suspect Olympus OM-D E-M5 is better than the Olympus E-30 at least for image quality, and it is definitely cheaper, at least in Australia, even not counting for free MMF-3 (current promotion in Australia).

on mirrorless cameras

Besides of small size the mirrorless cameras have another major advantage over DSLR: less or no moving parts. Lack of mirror (and may be shatter) should reduce manufacturing cost. The only benefits DSLR cameras I can think about are fast focusing and good viewfinder on some cameras (such as full-frame).

The transition probably will take some time unless someone come with new type of products. Right now essentially all manufacturers produce digital cameras that are very similar to film cameras in shape and design. There are some minor variations, as a periscopic lenses on Minolta Dimage X or some rugged cameras.  At the lower end digital cameras have very serious competition from cell phones. Some people say the low end compacts are doomed because of cell phones but right now cell phones cannot compete in quality even  with high-end compacts. However, it is quite possible to create lensor (lens with sensor) in a shape of small torch that controlled by mobile or tablet using WiFi, bluetouth or something similar. It even can be made with interchangeable lenses. Just put any mount, sensor, battery, SM card and WiFi in very small body, something like 60x60x40 mm for m4/3 standard.

just bits and pieces

Several days ago dpreview have published their opinion on the Olympus OM-D E-M5. Arguably, it is the best m4/3 camera from Olympus. The price of the E-M5 in Australia is similar to the US price, if you shop around. After all, it is Australia, and here big shops give discounts when you ask to match the price and pay cash. This is very welcome change because most cameras in Down Under are priced significantly higher.

Recently Samsung finally had announced three new mirrorless cameras aimed on different users. The pricing in Australia is unknown, but in the US the NX20 is priced similar to Olympus OM-D E-M5. The NX is very attractive system, especially considering available lenses.

On other hand, it is amazing that two giants of the camera world are essentially in hibernation in area of mirrirless cameras. OK, last year Nikon had released two Nikon 1 cameras with very limited external controls, and Canon recently had announced G1X with very slow lens. Compare Nikon to Samsung/Olympus/Panasonic, and Canon to Fuji. Both Nikon and Canon invested heavily into DSLR cameras and lenses. I bet both companies can create very capable mirrorless cameras but this will affect their DSLRs business. While both companies do enjoy a loyalty of photographers (invest in lenses not cameras :)) it might last until development of fast focus on mirrorless cameras. Ten years ago Kodak was a big company... Ironically, Kodak developed (one of) the first digital camera and shelved it. It didn't help.