Panasonic has been a strong player in the Micro Four Thirds arena, providing a number of cameras for that format, including its GH4 and GH5, which have become very popular with video makers.
While Panasonic isn’t abandoning the consortium, it is embarking on a new journey by jumping into the full-frame mirrorless market.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, Sony has taken a different path with its cameras, and that’s to build new features onto an exisiting body.
Sony’s latest APS-C mirrorless camera, the a6400, makes some improvements over its predecessors while retaining the same body shell. That works out well for current owners, as the transition to the new body will take less time.
Olympus continues to set higher goals for its Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, and the Olympus OM-D E-M1X is the latest evidence of that effort.
Every major digital system has a premium normal lens, and now Pentax is among them with its HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW.
The lens is part of the Pentax Star line and is dustproof and weather-resistant. The lens is priced at US$1,199.95.
It uses the KA4 mount, which means that it lacks an aperture ring. That limits its use to Pentax cameras that can provide electromagnetic aperture control.
Pentax is one of the beloved names of photography, first capturing a generation with the Spotmatic and then introducing 35mm film via the K1000.
In the digital space, the Pentax name hasn’t been at the top of the leaderboard. Even with the Pentax brand now being part of Ricoh.
But that doesn’t mean Pentax doesn’t have a viable digital camera. In 2016, Pentax released its first full-frame DSLR, the K-1. This year, the camera has undergone an update.
One of the more interesting announcements this fall is the Zeiss ZX1 – a fixed-lens camera.
Historically, Zeiss has been a manufacturer of camera lenses but not a manufacturer of cameras. From 1929 through the early 1970s, one of its units, Zeiss Ikon, made cameras, but Zeiss itself has not been involved in camera manufacture.
Even the Zeiss Ikon rangefinder that was produced in the late 2000s was manufactured by its partner, Cosina of Japan.
As one of the big camera makers, Nikon has been absent from the mirrorless market for serious photographers. Discover More.
The Nikon 1 line of cameras appealed to novice photographers with some of the later models introducing a few features to broaden its appeal, but the one-inch sensor was clearly a limiting factor in broadening its appeal among enthusiasts.
After testing the waters these past few years with varying degrees of commitment to the mirrorless segment, Canon apparently has decided to get serious.
The Canon EOS R represents a concerted effort by the camera maker to provide photographers with a high-end camera.
The EOS R is a full-frame camera that arrives with yet another camera mount for Canon – the RF. Note that Canon was careful to not confuse its current users by making the name a variation of “EF.”
Coinciding with the release of the PowerShot SX740 HS, Canon also announced its latest so-called bridge camera, the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS.
Like the SX740 HS, this camera adds just enough new features to keep the product fresh. New to this camera is the ability to record 4K video.
When it comes to lenses, Canon’s L series are always held in high regard. Just look at the sidelines at any sporting event, and you’ll see lots of the off-white lens barrels.
For those who need an excellent all-purpose telephoto zoom, Canon has updated two of its most popular lenses.
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM should satisfy those looking for a high-quality optic.
