Entry-level Canon PowerShot SX740 HS here in September

The PowerShot SX740 HS digital camera boasts a 40x optical zoom Lens (equivalent to 24-960 mm), a 20.3-megapixel CMOS imaging sensor and 4K video capabilities.

Aimed at those switching away from smartphones, the new camera features a DIGIC 8 image processor, dual-sensing image stabilization, automatic image transfer, feature assistant, and a 3.0-inch LCD screen that rotates 180 degrees. It also offers high-speed continuous shooting up to 7.4 fps, an ergonomic design, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology.

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS will be available in September for $499.99.

Next-gen Nikon mirrorless camera on its way (Updated)

Nikon’s teasing photo of its next-generation mirrorless camera, coming “soon”

It has been widely rumoured for some time that Nikon is working on a new mirrorless camera. That rumour is now fact. Nikon has officially announced the development of a next-generation full-frame mirrorless camera and Nikkor lenses featuring a new mount.

The company has even released a photo of the new camera (shown here), although it doesn’t reveal much.

Nikon says the new mirrorless camera and lenses in development will “enable a new dimension in optical performance” with the adoption of a new mount. What does that mean for those of us with an investment in Nikon lenses? Fear not, an F-Mount adapter is being developed that will enable the use of a “wide variety” of F-Mount Nikkor lenses with the new camera.

Does this mean Nikon is abandoning DSLRs? No, it says, it will continue to develop DSLRs and the lenses to go with them.

The next big question: When? “Later,” says Nikon, being not exactly helpful, although rumours suggest an unveiling as early as next month. A reminder that the huge international photo show, Photokina, will be held in late September. Seems like the perfect opportunity to show the world the new camera.

Update: Nikon will fully unveil the new camera August 23.

Wide-angle and tele lens arrive in Fall from Fujifilm

Fujifilm has announced two lenses – the Fujinon XF8-16 mm f/2.8 R LM WR and XF200 mm f/2 R LM OIS WR – which will arrive at retailers this Fall.

The zoom is the equivalent of 12-24 mm and is said to provide “outstanding” edge to edge image-resolving performance. The tele is the equivalent of 305 mm and boasts exceptional image clarity.

The 200 mm lens will only be available as a kit, paired with the high performance XF1.4X TC F2 WR Teleconverter, which extends the focal length by 1.4 times to deliver a focal length equivalent to 427 mm at f/2.8.

The 8-16 mm lens features an optical construction of 20 elements in 13 groups, including 4 aspherical lens elements to control distortion and spherical aberration, and 6 ED lens elements including 3 super ED elements to control lateral chromatic aberration, a design, the company says, that produces advanced image-resolving performances across the entire zoom range. Featuring a floating lens element that adjusts according to the position of the zoom, the zoom is said to achieve edge-to-edge sharpness, and corrects field curvature typically found in ultra-wide angle lenses. The lens barrel is lightweight yet robust, sealed at 11 points, designed to be weather and dust-resistant and capable of operating in temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C.

The short zoom uses linear motors for quiet and ultra-fast AF, and Nano-GI coating is applied to the rear surface of two front lens elements to eliminate ghosting and flare caused by oblique light.

The 200 mm lens is made of 19 elements in 14 groups, including one large-diameter super ED lens element and two large-diameter ED lens elements to minimize chromatic aberration. High-precision polishing technology, developed for broadcast lenses, was applied to the large-diameter lens to achieve outstanding image-resolving performance and beautiful bokeh, says Fujifilm. Fluorine coating is applied to the front lens element for improved durability, notes Fujifilm. The lens also features a new Focus Preset function that instantaneously changes the focus to a preset position.

Utilizing linear motors, the tele lens is claimed to achieve fast, silent and high-precision AF performance, and also features a new mechanism that fixes the motor group when the camera is not in use to reduce movement of the focusing group. In addition, the lens offers 5-stop image stabilization performance that recognizes shooting conditions and automatically applies optimum image stabilization control. With magnesium alloy construction, the lens is lightweight yet robust, and is sealed at 17 points and designed to be weather and dust-resistant, and operates in temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C.

The teleconverter features 7 elements in 4 groups including 1 aspherical element.

The Fujinon XF8-16 mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens will be available in late November for $2,599.99.

The Fujinon XF200 mm f/2 R LM OIS WR lens and XF1.4X TC F2 WR Teleconverter Kit will be available in late October for $ 7,799.99.

Fujifilm intros “travel-friendly” compact camera

The latest addition to Fujifilm’s X Series lineup is the XF10, a premium compact digital camera with a Fujinon 18.5 mm (28 mm equivalent) f/2.8 fixed lens. Weighing 280 g, the XF10 combines simple touchscreen operation with superior image quality, says the company, with versatile settings in a pocket-sized body.

Coming next month at a $649.99 price point, the camera offers wide dynamic range and produces sharp, high resolution images, according to the company. Combined with Fujifilm’s colour reproduction technology, its 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor allows the XF10 to produce high quality images in a wide range of settings, Fujifilm notes. In addition, both 4K movie and Full HD high speed video are available.

It’s the first X Series camera to offer the new “Square Mode,” which allows users to switch to a 1:1 format with a single flick of the touchscreen. Combined with a method for transfer of images to a smartphone, this camera enhances compatibility with social media where the 1:1 format has become a popular image format for posting photos.

With the Digital Teleconverter function, the camera is capable of taking photos with equivalent focal lengths of 35 mm and 50 mm.

The XF10 offers 11 Film Simulations and 19 Advanced Filters. The camera also introduces two new Advanced Filters – Rich & Fine and Monochrome [NIR] – to add artistic flair or film-like colour tones to photos. The Rich & Fine filter provides brighter and more vivid colour at the centre of the image, and a slight shadow at the corners to emphasize the subject. The Monochrome [NIR] filter simulates a monochrome effect as taken by near-infrared cameras.

The Fujifilm XF10 will be available in black or champagne gold.

Compact Nikon has super long zoom

Thankfully, the Nikon Superzoom Coolpix P1000 has powerful anti-shake technology built in, but you’re still going to have to hold the camera very steady when shooting it at max zoom. And that’s the equivalent of 6000 mm – no joke, no typo.

The “compact” camera sports a 125X optical zoom (24-3000 mm equivalent), with 16-megapixel back-side illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, offers 4K UHD video and manual controls, as well as built-in Wi-Fi1 and Bluetooth connectivity.

The lens is designed with ED and Super ED lens elements, 5X optical zoom lens (24-3000mm f/2.8-8) plus 250X Dynamic Fine Zoom (there’s where you get your equivalent 6000 mm). This is mated to an Expeed image processing system and Dual Detect Optical VR technology for 5-stops of camera shake compensation, the company says. The camera’s ISO peaks at 6400.

RAW (NRW) image output is possible, and the camera’s control layout has a function button, command dial and mode dial to bring frequently used functions to a photographer’s fingertips. Additionally, the camera includes a focus mode selector that can be used to change the focus mode and a control ring that allows for the adjustment of settings such as the white balance and manual focus.

The P1000 offers both an OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a Vari-Angle 3.2-inch TFT LCD display.

There are numerous picture controls, creative modes and filter effects, including scene modes such as Moon Mode and Bird Watching Mode.

Even with that zoom lens, it can also capture macro images from as close as 1 cm.

The Nikon Superzoom Coolpix P1000 is scheduled for September availability. (Hmmm, there’s a full moon on the 24th; try out max zoom on that!)

Update: The camera’s manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) is $1,399.95.