EVENTS
Leica M Edition 60
Leica’s magnificent M3 is regarded as the best
rangefinder (if not camera) ever made, and the German
company is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the
iconic M-System that it spawned with the debut of the
M Edition 60. Back to basics applies here in serious
measure, since there is no LCD review screen at the
back of the camera. As with film, if you want to see
what you shot you will have to wait. With only 600 units
available, you better talk to your bank manager to have
your $19 500 ready this October.
Fujifilm X100T
Fujifilm’s X100 range carries a special place in many a street
photographer’s heart thanks to its fixed lens, compact size and retro
looks. The X100T is set to further this love affair with a new advanced
hybrid viewfinder that combines the best of optical and electronic. This
16 megapixel camera with its 23mm (35mm equivalent) f2 lens is set to
hit locally soon with a RRP of R15 000.
Canon PowerShot G7 X
Also unveiled at Photokina by Cannon is the newly announced, small
but mighty PowerShot G7 X. Looking to compete against Sony’s RX100
range, the light (304 g) camera sports a 1.0-type back-illuminated
20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and f/1.8-2.8, 4.2x lens (24-100mm) in
a compact metal body. The G7 X doesn’t look like it has been spared
any high-end features normally found on DSLRs, including a 31 point
AF (autofocus) system which caters for Touch AF, the Digic 6 image
processor, 6.5 fps, while offering full HD 60p video as well. It further
sports integrated Wi-Fi and NFC.
Common settings, such as aperture and shutter speed can be adjusted
using Canon’s Lens Control ring while the ISO range is a respectable
100-12800. Local prices have not been confirmed, but stateside the
camera is expected to cost in the region of $700 (R7 700).
Panasonic Lumix CM1
There’s no denying that smartphones have steadily encroached on the
fortunes of dedicated cameras over the past years, but rather than push
back against the trend, Photokina saw one manufacturer – Panasonic –
show how it has wholeheartedly embraced it. Its announcement begged the
question - what do you get when you cross a smartphone with a Leica lens?
Probably something close to this, the company’s newest offering, which
boasts a 1” sensor, 20 megapixel resolution and oh yes, a f2.8 Leica lens.
Also onboard is a 4.7” screen with a 1080p resolution, a 2.3 GHz quadcore Snapdragon processor and 2 GB of memory. Harder to tell is whether
the device is intended to be a capable smartphone with exceptional
imaging capabilities, or a capable compact with the ability to function as
a smartphone too. At present though it is only launching in France and
Germany for €900 (R12 750). [RN]
October 2014 | TechSmart
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