EVENTS
Photokina 2014:
Photography on fire
For all the photography geeks and pixel peepers out
there, this year’s Photokina in Cologne was a bumper
one. While some announcements were expected,
others came from left field. Here are the hottest
cameras to feed your Gear Acquisition Syndrome.
Canon EOS
7D Mark II
F
inally, making many an APS-C Canon shooter happy, Canon’s
newest 20.2 megapixel ASP-C DSLR was officially revealed. Judging
by the specs, it was worth the excruciating anticipation. The EOS
7D Mark II boasts a capture rate of 10 frames per second (fps) along
with a new 65-point cross-type AF system and Dual DIGIC 6 processors,
indicating the camera is clearly aimed at action and sports shooters. Its ISO
now ranges from ISO 100-16 000, expandable to ISO 51 200, and the 7D
Mark II also supports both Compact Flash (CF) and SD cards.
Also onboard is an integrated GPS and digital compass, and a 3” nonreticulated, non-touch LCD screen. Video shooters are catered to with full
HD video capture at 60p in MOV and MP4 formats, and new dedicated
microphone and headphone sockets for external devices. Subject to
change, its body only price is expected to be around R23 000 or R27 500
with an 18-135mm lens.
Nikon
D750
Nikon has been going full-frame crazy this year, with the D750 being its
third model in 2014. As a follow up to the (very) old D700, the D750 sits
comfortably between the D610 and D810.
There’s a lot to get excited about, since it boasts a newly developed
24.3-MP FX-format CMOS sensor along with a 51-point AF system. This
uses 15 cross-type AF sensors, 11 of which are fully functional up to
f/8. Also worth noting is that the camera marks the first time that an FXformat (full frame in Nikon speak) DSLR has offered both integrated WiFi and a tilting Vari-Angle 3.2” 1229K LCD, rather than a fixed screen.
Other noteworthy features include an ISO range from 100-12 800, while
video is catered to as well; more specifically, the D750 can capture
video in Full HD (1920x1080) at 60/30/24p. Expect it to land later this
year for R32 000.
Samsung NX1
Smart Camera
Samsung
Samsu
Samsu also had something to debut at this year’s Photokina; releasing
the mir
mirrorless NX1 flagship. The APS-C NX1 Smart camera could best
mir
be described, at least in appearance, as looking like a smaller than
des
average DSLR sans pentaprism. It boasts a 28 -megapixel backsideaverag
averag
illuminated CMOS sensor, ISO range up to 25 600, an OLED electronic
illumina
illumina
viewfinder, and a 3” Super AMOLED touchscreen.
viewfin
viewfin
As always with Samsung, particular attention has been paid to its
alwa
alwa
connectivity features, which include Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth. Worth
connec
connec
noting is the new 205 phase detect autofocus points and the camera’s
noting
capability to capture an impressive 15 fps, not to forget the 4K video
capabi
capabi
recording. Its price Stateside when it arrives a little later this year is
recordi
recordi
pegged at $1 500. (R16 500).
pegged
14
October 2014 | TechSmart