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Nikon India and WWF-India Unveil ‘Wonders of the Wild’ Contest

In an exciting partnership, Nikon India and the Worldwide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) have launched the first-ever ‘Wonders of the Wild’ photography and videography contest. This initiative seeks to showcase the stunning biodiversity of India by inviting wildlife enthusiasts across the nation to capture its natural beauty through their lenses.

Open until March 3, 2024, the contest is designed to highlight the creativity and storytelling capabilities of individuals dedicated to wildlife, encouraging them to share the vibrancy of Indian wildlife through their work. It represents a significant opportunity for budding talents to exhibit their skills and emphasizes the vital message of conservation.

A distinguished jury, including renowned wildlife videographers and photographers Shaaz Jung, Latika Nath, and Kallol Mukherjee, will evaluate the entries. Participants are welcome to submit their work via the Nikon India website or Instagram, with the contest offering a range of exciting prizes.

Prizes include a Nikon Z 8 mirrorless camera, valued at INR 3,43,995, for the grand prize winner. The first runner-up will receive a NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens worth INR 2,93,995, and the second runner-up will be awarded a NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens valued at INR 1,69,995. Additionally, the top 10 entries will receive merchandise from the WWF-India Nature Store.

Look at the Samsung S24 Ultra Cameras

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Samsung Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 also unveiled

Samsung unveiled the S24 series comprising of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 along with the Galaxy AI to the public. The flagship devices from Samsung comes with the latest Snapdragon Gen 3 processors and specs that will surely make everyone take notice. Under the hood, the Galaxy S24 Ultra provides 12GB + 1TB, 12 + 512GB, or 12 + 256GB memory and storage options.There are two main take aways for me in these phones, the change in the Cameras and also the power of AI in everyday usage.

Cameras

The S24 Ultra comes with a quad camera set up, like the S23 Ultra, which on the face of it seems the same, but there are some interesting changes to the cameras. The cameras include a 12MP ultra-wide camera that features a 120-degree field of view, a 200-MP wide camera with OIS, and two telephoto cameras featuring 5x and 3x optical zoom options. At the front it has a 12MP front-facing camera.But what’s interesting is that there have been some changes that’ve been made to the camera. For instance, the main 200-MP camera now has a new sensor with the same specs as the S23 ultra, the telephoto also now features a 5x zoom instead of a 10x in the previous edition, to deliver a better performance between the ranges of 3x to 10x performance. These are tiny but important changes for the performance, which the users will benefit from. But we can only be certain when we do the full review of the phone.

Samsung AI

And the other important take away is the Samsung AI, which the company has teased a lot. It’s safe to say that it is difficult to leave AI out of phones anymore, and with each new phone, the use case scenario of AI seems to make things increasingly convenient.

In the Samsung AI world you can now click on a picture, select and search it on google, it will also allow real time translation on calls. But the most interesting thing is the editing tools it offers. Much like google, you can now enable simple edits like erase, re-compose, and remaster. For easier and more efficient optimizations, Edit Suggestionuses Galaxy AI to suggest suitable tweaks for each photo. Generative Editcan fill in parts of an image background with generative AI. When a picture is crooked, AI will fill in the borders. And if an action-packed video needs to be slowed down, new Instant Slow-mo can generate additional frames based on movements to smoothly slow down action-packed moments for a more detailed look. And yes it shows you small stars at the corner if the picture has been edited using AI.

These and host of other features awaits us with AI. But off the top these were the stand out things that we noticed about the cameras of the Samsung S24 Ultra. But do stay tuned and we will bring you the full review of the phone soon.

How Canon, Sony and Nikon are fighting Deep Fake Images

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With fake images and videos becoming more convincing everyday (like the Rashmika Mandanna fake video), tech giants have increased their monitoring to combat that menace. But now it is not only the tech giants, but camera manufacturers that are joining this fight by developing technology that will embed digital signatures in their cameras with new technology that can verify the authenticity of photos. Sony, Nikon and Canon are working on embedding digital signatures in their cameras that will act as the proof of origin and the integrity of the images shot by them reports Nikkei Asia.

The digital signatures are believed to contain information such as the date, time, location, and the name of the photographer who has shot the image. The manufacturers believe that this will restrict tampering and help the photographers and viewers to identify the credibility of the work. Nikon is expected to offer this feature in its mirrorless cameras, while Sony and Canon are expected to offer it in their professional line-up as well.

How does it work?

If you are wondering how does this work? Then the three manufacturers have agreed on creating a global standard for digital signatures, which will be made compatible with a web-based tool called Verify. This tool has been launched by an alliance of global news organisations, technology companies, and camera makers, will allow anyone to check the credentials of an image for free. Once the online tool runs through the image, it will display the relevant information if an image has a digital signature. If the image has been altered by AI, then the tool will flag it as having “No Content Credentials”.

Google, Intel doing their bit

Google, the biggest search engine globally is also doing their bit to help this fight. They have released a tool that adds invisible digital watermarks to AI-generated pictures, which can be detected by another tool. Intel has developed technology that can analyse the skin colour changes of subjects in images, which indicate the blood flow under their skin, and use that to determine the image’s authenticity.

The Challenge?

The biggest challenge though seems to be the user journey where they will have to use these tools to verify the images and authenticity. Whether a user undertakes that journey remains to be seen. But it is clear that a tool/technology like this is much needed at this point with the increase of deep fake images and videos on a rise.

Sony is expected to release this technology by 2024 as per reports and Canon is expected to make it available later this year. Currently this embedding is expected to be available only for images, but reports suggests that Sony and Canon are considering adding the feature to videos, although under development.

OnePlus Reveals Schedule for Exclusive ‘Smooth Beyond Belief’ Launch Event in New Delhi

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OnePlus has announced the schedule for ticket sales for its upcoming ‘Smooth Beyond Belief’ launch event, where the OnePlus 12 series is set to be unveiled. The event is scheduled to take place on January 23, 2024, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, marking the beginning of a new decade for the brand.

As part of the launch event, OnePlus is offering an exclusive opportunity for its Indian community to be among the first individuals globally to experience the latest flagship products. The event promises to showcase cutting-edge technology that the company claims has been a decade in the making.

The ‘Smooth Beyond Belief’ launch event aims to provide attendees with an unparalleled experience of OnePlus technology, focusing on the central tenet of fast and smooth performance. The event will feature the unveiling of both the all-round flagship, the OnePlus 12, and the performance flagship, the OnePlus 12R.

The gates for the event are set to open at 17:30 Hours IST at Pragati Maidan. Attendees will have the chance to explore experience zones at the launch venue, where they can be the first in the world to try out the latest array of OnePlus devices, including the OnePlus 12 series.

Prinova Solutions Enhances Printing Capabilities with New HP Indigo 6K Digital Press

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Prinova Solutions LLP has expanded its digital printing capabilities by introducing the HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Digital Press at its facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The move aims to address the increasing demand in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The new digital press is designed to incorporate secure printing technologies to combat counterfeiting, while also delivering high-quality and flexible custom printing through its single-pass productivity.

Atul Sonthalia, Partner at Prinova, highlighted the company’s origins with the vision to address the market gap for short-run packaging solutions. He emphasized the commitment to providing customers with cutting-edge technology and impeccable service through a skilled team and top-tier equipment. Sonthalia stated, ‘Our collaboration with HP and Technova signifies a significant step towards digital and short-run packaging, as well as brand protection and anti-counterfeit solutions.’

A Appadurai, Country Manager for Indigo and Inkjet Business Solutions at HP India, acknowledged their role as pioneers in digital press solutions, emphasizing the collaboration with Technova. He recognized the evolving needs of customers in the rapidly growing digital printing for packaging industry. Appadurai highlighted the HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Press as the first of its kind in India, marking a significant milestone in brand protection. He expressed enthusiasm about witnessing Prinova’s success with this innovative digital technology.

The HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Digital Press is described as an end-to-end security solution, offering exclusive anti-counterfeit labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons, and traceable stamps. It caters to brands facing counterfeiting challenges in the food & beverage, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food & beverage industries. The press facilitates traceability on various security substrates, including films and UV substrates, managed centrally through a secure black box ecosystem. Variable security inks such as invisible, fluorescent, spot colours, and taggant inks, along with features like QR codes and digital watermarking, are highlighted as part of HP Indigo Secure’s flexible, multi-layered approach to counterfeiting for printers.

The HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Digital Press, equipped with HP Indigo LEP and One-Shot Colour Technology, offers high resolution, high quality, and perfect registration. It uses HP Indigo ElectroInk with the widest digital colour gamut, reaching up to 97% of PANTONE colours and employing up to 7 ink stations on press to meet the demands of colour-conscious customers. The press also aligns with the company’s sustainability goals, being manufactured carbon neutral and contributing to reduced production waste. The environmentally safe Indigo Ink does not require solvents, chemicals, or UV light. The press has undergone independent verification to confirm compliance with rigorous health and environmental standards.

Lexar Unveils Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II Card GOLD Series in India

Lexar has recently introduced the Lexar Professional 1800x SDHC/SDXC UHS-II Card GOLD Series to the Indian market, catering to the needs of photographers, videographers, and digital content creators. With a UHS Speed Class rating of 3 (U3) and a V rating of 60, ensuring a minimum speed of 60 MB/s, the Professional 1800x SDHC/SDXC UHS-II Card GOLD Series is ideally suited for capturing 4K quality videos and high-resolution images with exceptional clarity.

The Lexar 1800x card’s rugged design offers protection against data corruption caused by heat or water exposure. Its durability makes it waterproof and capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, enabling reliable performance in challenging conditions such as underwater or in harsh environments like mountains and volcanoes. Additionally, the card’s X-ray resistance ensures it remains undamaged when passing through security machines during travel.

The Lexar Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II Card GOLD Series boasts impressive specifications, including a rapid read speed of up to 280 MB/s. Its write speed varies based on capacity, reaching up to 210 MB/s for the 64-128GB versions and up to 205 MB/s for the 256-512GB models. With storage capacities spanning 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, this card provides ample space for content creators. Its UHS-II interface ensures optimal performance for data transfer and handling.

The Lexar Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II Card GOLD Series provides ample storage options ranging from 64GB to 512GB. This generous capacity empowers users to seamlessly capture lengthy hours of both 4K UHD and FHD videos, maintaining high frame rates for an immersive visual experience. Additionally, Lexar asserts that the cards maintain backward compatibility with UHS-I devices, delivering optimal performance within UHS-I speed thresholds.

The Lexar Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II Card GOLD Series is readily available at prominent retailers and online stores across India. Prices start at ₹3,500 for the 64GB variant, ₹5,900 for the 128GB variant, ₹11,000 for the 256GB variant, and ₹24,000 for the 512GB variant.

Sony Unveils ZV-E1 Vlogging Camera with Full-Frame Sensor

Sony has recently announced the launch of its latest offering, the ZV-E1 vlogging camera. Aimed at catering specifically to vloggers and content creators, the ZV-E1 is equipped with a 35mm full-frame image sensor, promising an enhanced content creation experience. Positioned as a key addition to Sony’s Vlog camera line-up, the ZV-E1 boasts a compact and lightweight design, offering improved mobility for creators on the go. The camera features advanced technology and cinematic imagery, promising rich gradation and high sensitivity for superior visual quality.

Sony ZV-E1 comes with a 35mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R sensor with approximately 12.1 effective megapixels. This setup allows for bokeh effects, low noise, and high sensitivity. The BIONZ XR image processing engine further enhances performance, delivering improved gradation rendering, colour reproduction, and low-noise capabilities. The camera is capable of handling 4K (QFHD: 3840 x 2160) footage at 120p with real-time data processing, ensuring outstanding video quality. Sony’s focus on providing users with features like Cinematic Vlog Setting to create scenes with a feature film-like appearance on the ZV-E1. Additionally, the camera offers Creative Looks, presets, and My Image Style for personalized shooting styles.

The ZV-E1 incorporates AI-powered features such as Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking, allowing for precise autofocus and reliable subject tracking, even with fast-moving subjects. The camera’s 5.0-step stabilisation and Dynamic Active Mode offer smooth and stable footage, ideal for dynamic vlogging on the move.

The ZV-E1 features a 3-capsule microphone with variable directivity. The camera supports advanced video recording modes, including 10-bit 4:2:2 video and XAVC HS format recording with the MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 codec for improved efficiency. In terms of sustainability, Sony has made efforts to reduce environmental impact with eco-friendly materials used in the windscreen and outer packaging.

The ZV-E1 is set to hit the market on August 3, 2023, with prices starting at ₹2,14,990 for the body-only option and ₹2,43,990 with the 28-60mm zoom lens. With its feature-rich offering and focus on content creation, the ZV-E1 is poised to attract vloggers and content creators seeking an enhanced shooting experience.

Triumph Launches New Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X Motorcycles in India

Triumph Motorcycles has recently announced the launch of its latest models, the Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, in India. The bikes were unveiled globally in London last week and will now be available in Triumph’s exclusive showrooms across India. The Speed 400 will be priced at Rs. 2,33,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), with a special inaugural price of Rs. 2,23,000 for the first 10,000 customers. The Scrambler 400 X will be available in showrooms by October, and its price will be announced closer to its sales start.

Both the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X were conceived and designed in Hinckley, UK, and will be manufactured by Bajaj Auto Ltd. at its new Chakan plant. Triumph plans to establish over 100 dealerships across 80 cities in India within the fiscal year.

The Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X feature an all-new engine with a six-speed gearbox, delivering 40 PS peak power and 37.5 Nm peak torque. They also come equipped with advanced features such as 43mm upside forks, traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, torque-assist clutch, and factory-fitted security. The bikes offer a service interval of 16,000 km and come with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty, with an option to extend the warranty for another three years.

Triumph is offering more than 25 genuine accessories for the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, allowing owners to personalize their bikes according to their preferences.

Interested customers can book the new Triumph models online at triumphmotorcyclesindia.com/booking by paying a refundable token advance of Rs. 2000. Triumph will also keep customers in cities without open dealerships informed about availability.

With the launch of the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, Triumph aims to provide riders of all ages and experience levels with a fun, agile, and confidence-inspiring ride. These models inherit Triumph’s iconic design DNA while incorporating modern technology and engineering advancements.

Triumph Motorcycles, based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, has been producing motorcycles for over 120 years. It is the largest British motorcycle manufacturer and has a global presence with dealerships and subsidiary operations in various countries. Triumph is also involved in racing, supplying engines for the FIM Moto2 World Championship and competing in other prestigious racing events.

With its latest offerings, Triumph is set to capture the Indian market and offer enthusiasts a thrilling riding experience coupled with the brand’s signature style and performance.

Nikon Introduces Two Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon has recently expanded its mirrorless lens line-up by introducing two telephoto zoom lenses. This move marks a shift towards catering to full-frame camera users and offers versatile reach in compact packages at an affordable price. The two lenses, NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 and Z 70-180mm f/2.8, bring exciting features to the table.

Starting with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3, it serves as Nikon’s mirrorless successor to the popular F-mount AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 lens. The lens provides extended reach on both ends of the focal length range, making it ideal for capturing wildlife, sports, and aerial subjects. It offers 5.5 stops of vibration reduction, compensating for any aperture loss when zooming in. Additionally, it allows for close focusing, enabling photographers to capture subjects like flowers and insects. The lens boasts a compact design, weighing 4.3 pounds, and features customizable Fn buttons for convenient handheld shooting. It incorporates an extensive optical design, including six ED glass elements to minimize chromatic aberration. With weather sealing and internal zoom, it remains resistant to dust and moisture. The lens also supports video applications, offering smooth focus transitions and fast autofocus.

On the other hand, the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 lens completes Nikon’s trio of affordable, fast, and compact f/2.8 zoom lenses, alongside the 17-28mm f/2.8 and 28-75mm f/2.8 lenses. It covers a versatile zoom range, almost matching the popular 70-200mm lens used in various photography genres. With a smaller and lighter design, weighing 1.75 pounds, it provides enhanced portability for extended shooting sessions. The lens is equipped with advanced elements, including ED and aspherical elements, to ensure high image quality and minimize aberrations. Its fast f/2.8 aperture excels in low-light conditions and produces pleasing bokeh and shallow depth of field. The lens allows for close focusing, making it suitable for capturing details in wedding photography. It features suppressed focus breathing, silent autofocus, and compatibility with tele converters for extended reach and macro capabilities.

Photographers and videographers will find these lenses appealing due to their versatility, affordability, and excellent performance. The NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 lens is priced at ₹1,69,995 and will be available by August 2023, while the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 lens costs ₹1,19,995 and will be available by mid-July 2023.

Nikon Enhances Nikon Z9 Camera with Firmware Version 4.00, Introducing Auto Capture and Improved Features

Nikon India has unveiled the latest firmware version 4.00 for its flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z9. This significant upgrade marks the third major firmware update since the camera’s release and brings a range of new features and improvements for both still and video shooting.

One of the key additions in firmware version 4.00 is the Auto Capture function, which allows users to automate their shooting process. By setting predefined criteria, such as detecting specific motions, subjects within a certain distance, or identifying people, animals, or vehicles within the frame, the camera can automatically trigger still image or video recording. This feature provides photographers and videographers with increased flexibility, especially in scenarios where automation is required or when the camera needs to be placed in inaccessible locations for extended periods.

The firmware update also enhances video recording capabilities. For N-Log recording, the minimum ISO sensitivity has been expanded to Lo 2.0, resulting in improved dynamic range and enhanced shadow tones with reduced noise. Furthermore, users now have a broader range of options for Hi-Res Zoom speed, with 11 speed settings instead of the previous three. This allows for more precise control over the zoom speed, enabling users to achieve the desired zoom expression, including smoother and slower zooming effects. Firmware version 4.00 also introduces a Full HD slow-motion video function, enabling high-speed recording with playback rates of 1/4 (4×) or 1/5 (5×) the original frame rate, creating captivating slow-motion effects.

In terms of still-image shooting, the firmware update boosts subject acquisition performance when using 3D-tracking to capture small and fast-moving subjects that may not be easily detected with subject detection alone. Additionally, for improved workflow on location, the buffer capacity during the Pre-Release Capture phase of High-Speed Frame Capture has been extended from 30 to 300 seconds, giving users more time between the half-press and full-press of the shutter-release button. Firmware version 4.00 also introduces an [Exposure delay mode] feature in the Custom Settings menu, which helps reduce camera shake-induced blur by delaying the shutter release after the button is pressed.

Nikon has made several enhancements to the camera’s overall operability and functionality. The number of functions that can be assigned to custom controls has been increased, providing users with more flexibility to personalize their shooting experience. Additionally, the focus distance indicator now displays the approximate distance between the camera and the focus position, aiding manual focus adjustments. Photographers can now choose from five different shutter sounds and adjust the volume level. The new [Frame advance zoom position] option allows users to customize how the camera centres the display when scrolling through pictures during playback zoom, prioritizing the focus point active during shooting. Lastly, the accuracy of the progress bar during video playback has been improved.

With the release of firmware version 4.00 for the Nikon Z9 camera, Nikon continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing users with enhanced functionality and improved shooting experiences. This firmware update empowers photographers and videographers with automation features, expanded video capabilities, refined still-image shooting performance, and a range of usability enhancements. Nikon users can download the firmware update from the official Nikon website and take advantage of the new features to further unleash their creative potential.