Princeton University and the University of Washington researchers have created an imaging system the size of a coarse grain of salt. It is based on a metasurface with 1.6 million cylindrical posts and functions similarly to a camera sensor. Each post functions as an optical antenna, receiving light to form the optical wavefront, and then developing a high-quality picture in full colour using AI algorithms. Traditional cameras employ a sophisticated set of plastic and glass lenses to bend light onto a sensor, which transmits impulses electronically. The new method is based on metasurface, which is a thin layer made up of individual microscopic parts designed to refract light in any desired direction.

To honor another successful year with the SkyPixel community, DJI and SkyPixel, one of the world’s most prominent online aerial photography and videography communities, have announced the 2021 SkyPixel Creative Video Contest. The contest, which has a brand-new 15s Video category, encourages contributions from all sorts of producers, from hobbyists to professional filmmakers from all around the world. FAW-Volkswagen Audi, Canon, and DJI will give contest prizes.

The contest, which runs from October 27 through December 6, 2021, accepts films filmed on portable devices in seven categories: Sports, Travel, Party, Pets and Kids, Creative, Foods, and 15s Video. There are no age restrictions, and participants are free to submit as many pieces of work as they choose. Please see the official contest website at www.skypixel.com/contests/2021video for more information.

Professional film producers, directors, and well-known influences, like Sam Kolder, Aaron Liu, Devin Graham, and Mike Bishop, make up the 2021 judging committee.

SkyPixel and DJI will present 60 awards totaling more than USD 46,000 in cash and gifts. The Grand Prize winner will get a USD 7,500 DJI voucher to go toward any DJI product, a Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera with an RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Kit, an Audi e-tron 1:18 model vehicle, and other interesting prizes. Winners in each category will win a variety of prizes, including a DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo, a DJI RS 2 Pro Combo, a Canon EOS R5, and an Audi Sport Watch. Additionally, entries chosen by editors and shot on a previous-generation DJI Osmo or Ronin device will get a 5% voucher toward the purchase of a new DJI handheld product.


Submission Details
Submission Start Date: 21:00 (CST) on Oct 27 2021
Submission End Date: 14:00 (CST) on Dec 6, 2021
Award Announcement: Dec 28, 2021

Nikon yesterday introduced its latest flagship mirrorless camera, the Z9 for a whopping price of Rs 4,75,995. The camera is the first of its kind which doesn’t feature a mechanical shutter and only features an Electronic Shutter making it the fastest CMOS sensor produced and also that it will have the least amount of rolling shutter due to this feature.

The camera features a 45.7-megapixel sensor and has the capability to shoot 8K video at 30p and up to 20 fps RAW burst shooting capabilities. It’s Nikon’s first camera with a stacked sensor and built-in memory, allowing for extremely rapid readout speeds. Nikon is so confident in the electronic shutter that it has abandoned the mechanical shutter altogether, making the Z9 the first high-end professional camera to do so.

The Z9 sensor (which has the same megapixel count as the Z7 II) enables for flash sync speeds of up to 1/200th of a second, which appears to be the quickest sync speed for an electronic shutter ever. This should also make it particularly resistant to rolling shutter, which is important if the camera is going to be used for sports or action photography. The quicker sensor enables JPEG burst photography at up to 30 frames per second or RAW shots at 20 frames per second. If you’re ready to go down to 11 megapixels, you can capture photographs at 120 fps as well. The Nikon Z, like other stacked sensor cameras, features substantially better buffering, allowing you to shoot up to 1,000 frames at once with JPEG or the new HE (high efficiency) RAW compression techniques.

Nikon’s autofocus (AF) technology is likewise all new, and it makes even greater use of AI algorithms. Like the Canon’s EOS R3, can now monitor a wide range of subjects, including people’s eyes, faces, and bodies, as well as dogs, cats, and birds, aircraft, trains, motorcycles, and bicycles. And, unlike other AI cameras, there’s no need to tell it what you’re shooting – if you set it to “Auto,” the camera will figure it out (or, you can set the subject type manually). It also has a “3D tracking” feature, similar to that found in Nikon DSLRs. 

Nikon’s in-body stabilization mechanism has also been upgraded (which it calls “vibration reduction” or VR). It can now combine in-body and lens stabilization systems for more stable video and less blurry images. However, it will only be available with a few lenses at first, including the Nikkor Z 70-200mm F/2.8, Z MC 105mm F/2.8 VR, and the recently announced Z 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VR S.

As Nikon hinted earlier this year, video performance is similarly outstanding. The Z9 will be able to capture 8K at 30p, as well as oversampled 4K 30p from an 8K clip, which should be extremely crisp. It will also be capable of capturing 4K at up to 120 fps if you don’t mind pixel binning or line skipping. To begin, you’ll be able to capture these files at up to 10-bit resolution using H.264 or H.265 long GOP codecs. Furthermore, Nikon provides the extremely handy option of shooting video using ProRes 422 HQ compression, which is considerably easier to edit right out of the camera.

However, things will become much more fascinating later on. Nikon intends to provide a firmware upgrade in the future that will enable 12-bit 8K 60fps capture in a new, proprietary N-RAW format or Apple ProRes RAW HQ capture at 4K/60p. Nikon claims that at “average” conditions, you’ll be able to capture the oversampled 4K/30p for more than two hours. 

The camera features two CFexpress Type B slots (backward compatible with XQD) for maximum video and burst photo capabilities. The new EN-EL18d battery has a capacity of 740 shots per charge with the LCD and 700 shots with the EVF activated. It boasts a 3.69 million dot OLED viewfinder, which probably could’ve been better considering that most cameras now already have this since a longtime. The refresh rate of the EVF is just 60 fps, but Nikon claims that it always provides that speed and never downgrades it regardless of what you’re doing. It has a multi-direction back LCD rather than a completely articulating screen, although it can be tilted up to face you.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5M2 was recently released in India. The new mirrorless camera, developed as an improvement to the current Lumix GH5, is geared at videographers searching for a 4K video recording option. It can record C4K or 4K 4:2:0 movies at 60 frames per second (fps) in 10 bits while also permitting simultaneous output of C4K or 4K 4:2:0 10-bit films at 60fps. The Lumix GH5M2 has a 20.3-megapixel sensor with body image stabilisation. The camera also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5M2 body alone costs Rs. 1,69,990 in India, while the GH5M2 L-kit, which includes a 12-60mm lens, costs Rs. 2,14,990. The camera can be purchased in the nation from Panasonic India brand stores.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5M2 comes with the 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor that includes an anti-reflective (AR) coating on top to minimise ghosts and flaring effects. The camera also includes an image processor along with Venus Engine that is claimed to enable 4K60p 4:2:0 10-bit internal recording and simultaneous 4:2:2 HDMI output. The Lumix GH5M2 also carries a deep learning technology that is claimed to help detect subjects such as humans, fast-moving animals, and birds.

In compared to the Lumix GH5, the Panasonic Lumix GH5M2 is said to have double the recognition cycle speed for identifying eyes and faces. The camera is also said to be capable of distinguishing between eyes, faces, and bodies in real time. The Panasonic Lumix GH5M2 also includes a 6-stop slower shutter speed, as well as body IS, which helps capture steady photos even while shooting handheld.

Panasonic has enabled wireless live streaming on the Lumix GH5M2 in addition to wired live streaming through HDMI. It is accessed via the Lumix Sync app, which is available for smartphones. The camera can transmit full-HD video at 60 frames per second using the H.264 codec in the RTMP/ RTMPS protocol. The business has also made available a specific software package called Lumix Webcam Software, which customers may download to enable wired live streaming with the Lumix GH5M2. Through a future firmware upgrade anticipated for the end of 2021, it will also offer wired IP streaming over RTP/ RTSP protocol.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5M2 includes Bluetooth v4.2 and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac connectivity. The camera also has a 3.0-inch free-angle LCD panel with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1,840k dots. Touch controls are also available on the LCD panel. Because the Lumix GH5M2 is intended to be an update to the Lumix GH5, it is compatible with the majority of the accessories provided for the prior model. This means you can utilize the Lumix GH5’s XLR Microphone Adapter, Shutter Remote Control, and Battery Grip with the new camera.

The Lumix GH5M2 also sports a dustproof, freeze-proof, and splash-proof design with a magnesium alloy core structure and a complete die-cast front and back frame. The camera’s shutter unit is also said to be robust for up to 200,000 cycles.

On the Lumix GH5M2, Panasonic has included a 2,200mAh battery that can be charged through AC or USB. It may also be charged with USB Power Delivery (PD) chargers. In addition, the camera sports a dual SD memory card slot that supports UHS-II cards.

The third graphic shows the previously anticipated ‘Multi-Axis Tilting Monitor,’ as well as the ability to continually take Raw photos at up to 20fps. This slide has no footnotes, which is particularly fascinating given the 20fps Raw capture. The movie also shows off Nikon’s upcoming Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 S lens.

As with any leak, it’s important to take it with a grain of salt. However, given that the video came from the official Nikon India YouTube account and looks to be quite on-brand for Nikon’s previous videos, it’s unlikely to be a forgery. Nikon has another teaser film scheduled for later this week, which may or may not be the finalized version of this advertising video. We’ll simply have to wait and see what happens.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II mirrorless digital camera is the latest addition to the GFX Series. Fuji’s newest medium-format digital camera costs a whopping Rs. 3,79,999 for the body alone and features a large format sensor and a five-axis image stabilization technology. The Fujinon GF35-70mm f/4.5-5.6 WR lens was announced alongside the new high-end mirrorless camera.

When purchased combined, the GFX 50S II and the 35-70mm Kit lens would put you back Rs. 4,49,999. Let’s take a look at why the new Fujifilm mirrorless camera is so costly. The 51.4MP large format sensor on the GFX50S II is equipped with smaller light-collecting microlenses to enable more separation between adjoining pixels.

The bigger sensor and light-collecting microlenses, according to Fujifilm, boost light resolution per pixel for greater image clarity. The configuration with a larger light-receiving surface per pixel improves the camera’s ISO sensitivity and dynamic range in low-light situations. The 51.4MP sensor is rather huge, and it should result in a naturally narrow depth-of-field.

The GFX50S II weighs more than 900g and has dimensions of 104.2mm in height and 87.2mm in depth. According to Fujifilm, the camera’s handle is intended to fit securely in the hand, ensuring comfort by significantly reducing hand stresses while using a large zoom lens in scenarios such as animal and bird photography. The casing is made of a strong magnesium alloy for strength. The lens mount’s base has been reinforced to enhance the camera body’s longevity.

Importantly, the GFX50S II is weather-sealed at 60 locations, protecting it from dust and moisture and allowing it to operate in temperatures as low as -10°C. Another notable feature that contributes to the new mirrorless camera’s high price is the five-axis image stabilization system, which provides up to 6.5 stops of advantage, the highest in the GFX Series’ history.

Fujifilm achieved this by utilizing a high-performance gyro sensor and accelerometer, both of which promise to detect motions with high precision. The gyro sensor was created to increase detection accuracy for precise image stabilization. Fujifilm is betting big on the stabilization capabilities of the new medium-format digital camera. The GFX50S II, according to the company, may produce superior image quality when used hand-held and does not require a tripod for slow and thorough shooting.

Following that, the GFX50S II is touted to have a high-precision AF system thanks to a high-speed image processing engine known as “X-Processor 4” and a newly built algorithm. When compared to a previous model, the pair achieves more precise focusing in Face/Eye Detection. Better portraiture should emerge from the enhanced focusing mechanism and large-format sensor with a natural shallow depth of field.

The Alpha 7 IV, commonly known as the A7 IV, was recently unveiled by Sony. It is the successor to Sony’s successful entry-level full-frame camera, the A7 III, which debuted in 2018. The A7 IV improves on its predecessors’ photography capabilities while also greatly increasing video capabilities in a quest to become a genuine hybrid camera.

The Exmor R CMOS sensor in the A7 IV is a new 33-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor. While Sony does not market it, the new sensor features dual native ISO, with the second step kicking in at ISO 3200. The sensor, according to Sony, has a dynamic range of 15 stops.

The new sensor is paired with the newest generation BIONX XR image processor, which is also featured in Sony’s flagship Alpha 1. In comparison to its predecessor, the camera can shoot at 10 frames per second with AF/AE tracking and has a bigger buffer capacity. The autofocus technology employs 759 phase-detection AF points with real-time object tracking and real-time Eye AF for tracking humans, birds, and animals in both stills and video for the first time on a Sony camera.

The A7 IV can record 4K video utilizing the whole sensor width. For all frame rates including and below 30fps, the picture is downsampled from 7K to 4K. Unlike the A7 III, the A7 IV can shoot 4K at 60 frames per second. However, it can only do so in Super 35mm mode, which cuts the image and does not make use of the entire sensor width. In addition, unlike the A7 III, the A7 IV can now capture movies in full 10-bit depth, 4:2:2 color sampling, and XAVC S-I intra-frame recording. It also supports the S-Cinetone image profile, which is often seen in Sony cinema cameras.

Sony has also included a few additional capabilities that are now only available on the A7 IV and function when used with a suitable Sony E-mount lens. When utilizing autofocus, the AF Assist mode allows focus transitions, and the Focus Map mode visualizes depth of field with colors on the screen. There is also a new Breathing Compensation function, which compresses the image somewhat on Sony lenses with focus breathing issues, ensuring that the field of vision stays consistent even when moving focus from end to end.

For fast operation, the physical design has been altered to include a new top layer mode dial for Auto/P/A/S/M and MR modes, as well as a lower-layer dial for Still/Movie/S&Q modes. The display has been updated and now has a fully articulating design that can be rotated. The resolution of the 3.68-million-dot EVF has been increased by 1.6x. The dual card slots have been upgraded to accommodate SD cards and either SD or CFexpress Type A cards. On the side, a full-size HDMI connection has been added for external recording and monitoring. The recording button has been relocated to the top for easier access, and the magnesium alloy weather-resistant housing has been enlarged for better grip.

Canon has recently introduced the EOS VR System, a new virtual reality (VR) video production system. The system will be available in late December 2021, and it will contain one specialised lens and two computer software programs. VR is becoming increasingly popular in a variety of areas, including entertainment, tourism, and education. With the growing market demand for virtual reality (VR), Canon is leveraging its optical technologies developed through the development and production of the EOS interchangeable lens camera system to establish a new VR video production system that produces high-quality images while maintaining an efficient production workflow.

The new EOS VR System is made up of two mirrorless cameras, a specialised lens, and computer software. Users may shoot VR films by adding the specialised lens to the camera, then using computer software to convert the resultant picture files to a common VR file format, making post-production simple.

Commenting on this launch, Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, President and CEO, Canon India said, “We are constantly pushing technological boundaries by anticipating both current and future needs. With the launch of Canon EOS VR System, we are bringing the power to create incredible 180°VR content in up-to 8K size output. This is a game changing product for the imaging industry where professional content creators can create high quality VR content using our easy-to-use workflows.”

Mr. C Sukumaran, Director – Consumer Systems Products and Imaging Communication Business, Canon India further added, “The EOS VR System has been developed by nurturing Canon’s optical technologies and EOS interchangeable lens camera system. It promises high- quality images coupled with an efficient production workflow. When attached to the EOS R5, the new RF5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye lens will enable users to harness the camera’s ultra- high definition 8K recording capabilities and produce an immersive feel like never experienced before.”

The new RF5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye lens is a specialized RF lens with two fisheye lenses designed to provide a parallax effect that may be utilized to create 3D 180-degree VR pictures. When coupled to the EOS R5 mirrorless camera, the lens allows users to take use of the camera’s 8K recording capabilities to generate ultra-high quality footage.

The Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 Dual Fisheye lens is priced at Rs. 1,79,995, while the EOS VR Utility Software and EOS VR Plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro is priced on a subscription basis, and both will be available in December 2021.

Tamron recently introduces a new 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, as well as an upgraded 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 standard zoom. The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD for Fujifilm X-mount cameras is perhaps the most exciting news, since it is Tamron’s first ever Fujifilm fit lens, as well as the first superzoom lens for that camera.

Tamron’s mirrorless camera lens lineup is expanding rapidly, and these two new additions for Sony’s full frame E-mount cameras provide highly cost-effective alternatives to Sony’s own lenses. Tamron claims that the 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD is the world’s first F/2 mirrorless zoom lens. At full zoom, the maximum aperture drops to F2.8, but it’s still a very outstanding maximum aperture for a lens with this zoom range.

The Fujifilm X-mount 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is a really intriguing lens. It certainly benefits from Tamron’s experience in superzoom lenses, and it’s extremely reasonably priced as a possible all-in-one travel lens for Fujifilm customers who previously had just Fujifilm’s own considerably shorter XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R lens.


Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD

The focal range of the Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD is unique, falling midway between a normal zoom and a short telephoto zoom. It has a 35mm angle of vision at the short end of the zoom range, which is a semi-wide field of view, and a short telephoto at maximum zoom. Although the maximum aperture is just F2 at 35mm, it lowers to F2.8 at 150mm, which is still an outstanding maximum aperture for that focal length.

Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism is used for “extremely high-speed and high-precision autofocus,” and the lens elements comprise four LD (Low Dispersion) and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical). When shooting at wide apertures, Tamron promises constant excellent image quality to the corners of the frame and minimized onion ring bokeh (concentric circles).

Other characteristics include close-focusing capabilities with a minimum focus distance of 0.33m (at the broad end) and a moisture-resistant construction with fluorine coating to repel water, as well as the inclusion of a lens hood.

Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD will be available from October 28.


Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Tamron’s 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is an upgraded version of the company’s previous 28-75mm F2.8 lens for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. It has a somewhat larger range of focal lengths than Sony’s own 24-70mm F2.8 G Master lens, but it is smaller and far less expensive, while having the same constant F2.8 maximum aperture.

This new 28-75mm F2.8 G2 version features a new optical design that improves performance and matches the resolution of the newest mirrorless cameras. Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism improves AF speed and precision, and a new design improves operation and ergonomics.

Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 will be available from October 28.

Tamron 18-300 mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD for Fujifilm’s X-mount

The Tamron 18-300 mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD, which will be available on October 28th, is the first superzoom lens for Fujifilm X-mount cameras, with a zoom range of 16.6x, dwarfing the 7.5x range of its nearest competition, the Fujinon XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R.

The 18-300 mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD has a full-frame equivalent focal range of 27mm to 450mm, with magnification ranging from wide-angle to near super-telephoto. It features a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 for close-ups and employs Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus, as well as Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism. This will be particularly handy for Fujifilm cameras that lack in-body stabilization.

This lens, like the two new Sony-fit lenses mentioned above, should be available on October 28th, however Tamron warns that it may be delayed due to current worldwide pandemic circumstances.

Canon recently announced the launch of the EOS R3, their most advanced and capable full-frame mirrorless camera to date in the EOS R series of cameras. It features a newly developed (approximately 24.1-megapixel) back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, new Eye Control AF, and is capable of recording 6K 60p RAW or 4K 120p 10-bit movie.

The new EOS R3 will appeal to advanced enthusiasts, professional and hybrid shooters with its high-speed shooting capabilities, ultra-low light performance, advanced tracking, and recognition capabilities for various applications such as wedding, sports, wildlife, and cinematography.

Commenting on the flagship launch, Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, President & CEO, Canon India said, “India is one of the most important markets for Canon’s camera business. Given the uniqueness of the photography industry here, we have been focused on catering to the varied and evolving needs of photography enthusiasts who are swiftly moving from casual photography to professional photography. The introduction of EOS R system has been a revolutionary milestone for us in India as we build a strong customer base for mirrorless cameras. Continuing the momentum, we are truly delighted to launch Canon EOS R3, the latest addition to the EOS legacy of professional cameras. With over three decades of continuous EOS innovation, the R System has been acknowledged in the industry for offering greater creative possibilities and even more dynamic ways of capturing every moment. With the launch of the Canon EOS R3, we are providing users with high level functionalities required to elevate the photography and videography experience for professionals and enthusiasts.”

Mr. C Sukumaran, Director- Consumer Systems Products and Imaging Communication Business, Canon India added, “With mirrorless cameras getting wide acceptance amongst users especially the professional segment, it has been our constant endeavour to support the growth of the ecosystem with breakthrough technologies and innovations. The introduction of Canon EOS R3 camera is a testament to our consistent efforts of expanding imaging possibilities for users. Backed by many firsts for Canon – it is the first EOS series camera to be equipped with our newly developed 35mm full-frame back illuminated stacked CMOS sensor and is also our first digital camera to feature Eye Contol AF functionality. With the EOS R3, we bring forth some next-generation features developed on the concept of high speed, high sensitivity, and high reliability for both stills and video captures. We are confident that photography enthusiasts will be delighted by the new camera and what it has to offer to capture the perfect shot.”

The 24-megapixel stacked BSI sensor has a lesser resolution than the 45-megapixel R5 sensor, but the R3 is all about quickness, rapid AF performance, and low-light capabilities. Canon claims that it can shoot at up to 30 frames per second with the electronic shutter and 12 frames per second with the mechanical shutter, and that the highest native ISO is 102,400. In the Canon Log 3 profile, the R3 can shoot 6K at 60fps and uncropped 10-bit 4K at 120fps.

The R3 appears to be quite similar to the EOS-1D X Mark III, which effectively fills the same position in Canon’s DSLR portfolio. It features a one-piece magnesium alloy construction with a built-in vertical grip, and Canon claims it is weather and dust resistant in the same way as the EOS-1D DSLRs. The body has wired LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports, as well as a CFexpress card reader and a UHS-II SD card slot. A 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD screen is also included.

Canon EOS R3 is expected to be available for sales in India by November end this year and will be priced at INR 4,99,995/- (body only).

Canon is also releasing two new lenses for the EOS R system which is Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 and Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 lens. Canon RF100-400 mm f/5.6-8 and Canon RF16mm f/2.8 are expected to be available for sales in India by October this year and will be priced at INR 58,995/- and INR 26,995/- respectively.