News / New Cameras & Lenses

CES 2013: Sigma has announced the DP3 Merrill, the latest iteration of the company's enthusiast large sensor compact camera. Nearly identical to the earlier DP Merrill models, this camera features the familiar 15x3MP APS-C Foveon X3 sensor, but it is now mated with a 50mm (75mm equiv.) F2.8 lens. The lens lends itself to portraiture and, with a minimum focus distance of 22.6cm, offers respectable 1:3 magnification. Video recording is still limited to VGA resolution but the DP3M can shoot at up to 4 frames per second for 7 frames in Raw.

CES 2013: Sigma has published details of what it will be showing at the CES show, including pricing details for two of the lenses it announced at Photokina 2012. The 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM, part of the company's 'Contemporary' line of lenses, will retail for around $499. Meanwhile the 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM, which falls into the company's 'Sports' category, will sell for around $3,599. The company has also given details of a monochrome processing mode that it's added to its Sigma Photo Pro processing software for its Foveon-sensored cameras.

CES 2013: Olympus has announced the Stylus Tough TG-2 iHS, the latest flagship of its Tough series of waterproof compact cameras. This update to the TG-1 model is now waterproof down to 15m (50 feet), has a 12MP CMOS sensor and a 4x optical zoom lens with a maximum aperture starting at F2.0. Further rounding out the specifications are a 3.0" OLED rear display, built-in GPS and elevation recording and 1920 x 1080 video output. The TG-2 iHS will be available in March in both red and black versions for US $379.99.

CES 2013: Olympus has announced the Stylus SH-50 iHS, which the company claims is the first compact camera to feature E-M5-style 5-axis image stabilization. The 16MP camera also features a 24x 25-600mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens, 1080i60 video output and a touch-sensitive 3-inch rear LCD. Taking design cues from the company's higher-end PEN cameras, the SH-50 iHS sports a textured hand grip and will be available in March in both black and white versions.

CES 2013: Olympus has announced the TG-830 iHS and TG-630 iHS, two new additions to the company's TOUGH series of travel-friendly waterproof compact cameras. The mid-range TG-830 iHS is waterproof to 10m (33 feet) and has a 5x optical zoom lens to go along with its 16MP back-side illuminated CMOS sensor. Video can be recorded in 1920 x 1080 resolution, with the option to capture high speed clips at 120 fps in 720 resolution mode, for slow motion playback. The entry-level TG-630 iHS is waterproof down to 5m (16 feet). Both models will be available in March in a range of colors.

CES 2013: Olympus has announced the Stylus SZ-16 iHS and the Stylus SZ-15 iHS - a pair of 24x compact superzoom cameras. Both cameras offer an 25-600mm equivalent zoom range. The SZ-16 iHS is based around a 16MP CMOS sensor, allowing it to offer 1080p video and the other high-speed features needed to wear the company's iHS branding. The SZ-15 makes do with a 16MP CCD sensor, restricting it to 720p video capture. The SZ-16 iHS uses Olympus' previous-generation TruePic V processor, while the SZ-15 uses an older TruePic III+ chip.

CES 2013: Nikon USA has announced it is releasing the D5200 launched elsewhere in November 2012. The 24MP upper entry-level DSLR gains the 39-point AF system from the company's higher-end models. The camera will cost around $899.95 with the Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 VR kit lens. It includes an articulated 920k dot LCD and is compatible with the clip-on WU-1a Wi-Fi module. We previewed it back when it was launched in Europe so, if you still don't know what makes the D5200 tick, the preview should cover it.

CES 2013: Nikon has launched two additional camera and two lenses to the Nikon 1 mirrorless system. The 10MP 1 S1 and 14MP 1 J3 are two small mirrorless camera both featuring hybrid-AF. The 1 J3 looks a lot like the previous 1 Js but sees the mode dial moved to the camera's top plate. The S1, meanwhile is a smaller, less expensive model aimed squarely at point-and-shoot users. In addition Nikon has announced the 1 Nikkor 6.7-13mm F3.5-5.6 VR 18-35mm equivalent wide-angle zoom and a retractable superzoom lens, the 1 Nikkor 10-100mm F4-5.6 VR.

CES 2013: Nikon has announced the Wi-Fi-enabled Coolpix S6500 compact camera. It includes the latest 'Glamour Retouch' effects including 'Reduce Dark Circles' and 'Redden Cheeks'. The camera is built around a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, 12x 25-300mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens and offers Full HD video recording capabilities. It will available late January for a suggested retail price of $219.95 in silver, black, red, and orange.

CES 2013: Sony has announced five Cyber-Shot compacts, including the Wi-Fi-capable, 16MP CMOS-based DSC-WX80 with its 25-200mm equivalent zoom lens. There are also two CCD-based W-series cameras - the DSC-W730 which shares its lens with the WX80, and the DSC-W710 that has a 5x 28-140mm equiv. zoom. Beyond these are the 16MP CCD-based 5x rugged, waterproof DSC-TF1 and the 26x DSC-H200 superzoom.

CES 2013: Samsung has announced six Wi-Fi capable compact cameras, including compact superzooms and its latest Dual-View model. The WB250F is an 18x, 24-432mm equiv compact superzoom with a 3.0" touch screen and the company's latest Wi-Fi implementation - dubbed 'Smart 2.0.' The WB250F uses a 14MP BSI CMOS sensor while its near-twin, the WB200F, uses a 14MP CCD chip. Meanwhile the WB800F uses a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor behind a 21x, 23-483mm equivalent lens. The WB30F uses a 16MP CCD with 24-240mm equivalent lens. The latest DualView model shares the same sensor and a 25-125mm equiv zoom and includes a 1.5" front LCD. The ST150F is a budget style compact - taking most of the DV150F's features but without the front screen and costing $20 less.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the X100S - a significantly enhanced replacement for its X100 large sensor, fixed-lens compact camera. The X100S retains its predecessor's classic styling but has been extensively re-worked inside, with a 16MP X-Trans sensor that includes on-chip phase-detection elements (a technology first utilized by Fujifilm), and a higher-resolution LCD in its Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. A faster 'EXR II' processor, along with the on-chip AF information help Fujifilm offer what it says is the world's fastest AF. The X100S backs-up its rangefinder-esque looks with a digital split-image manual focus system, allowing fast manual focusing. A great many fine details of the camera have also been enhanced - we look in greater detail in our hands-on preview article.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the X20 - a substantially upgraded re-working of its high-end enthusiast compact. The biggest changes over the X10 are the adoption of the X-Trans color filter pattern from the company's mirrorless cameras, along with an LCD added to the optical viewfinder to allow shooting information to be overlaid. A faster processor and on-chip phase detection elements promise fast focusing while the addition of a 'Q' quick-menu button should also improve the camera's usability.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the 16MP FinePix HS50EXR, its new flagship superzoom camera. The HS50 features a 42x 24-1000mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens and a new EXR CMOS II sensor. A 3" articulated rear LCD complements the camera's built-in 920k dot electronic viewfinder. The HS50 records 1080p60 video alongside stereo audio. An 'Intelligent' hybrid autofocus system allows for automatic switching between contrast and phase-detection AF operation. Burst modes as high as 11 fps are possible in full resolution mode. A more affordable HS35EXR has also been announced, which features an earlier version sensor, 30x optical zoom and 1080p30 video recording.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the FinePix SL1000, a 50x superzoom camera. The 16MP SL1000 features a 24-1200mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens and a newly developed image stabilization system. In addition to the exceptionally wide focal length range, the lens can focus as close 1cm (.39 inches). A 3" articulated rear LCD complements the camera's built-in 920k dot electronic viewfinder. The camera is capable of burst rates of up to 10fps at full resolution. The SL1000 records 1080i60 video alongside stereo audio.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the FinePix XP60, the latest addition to its rugged waterproof line of compact cameras. The 16MP XP60 is waterproof down to 6m (20 feet), has a 5x optical zoom lens, image stabilization and can record 1080i60 video. A dedicated 'burst mode' button offers up to 10fps at full resolution. The camera also comes with a sweep panorama mode as well as several effects filters. The XP60 will be available in March.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has launched three mid-range superzoom cameras - the 46x S8500, the 42x S8300 and the 40x S8200, all based around otherwise similar specifications. The Europe-only S8500 offers a 24-1104mm equivalent range, while the North America-only S8300 has to make do with a 24-1008mm equivalent range. Meanwhile the S8200, available in all territories, gets a 24-960mm equiv zoom. All three models share a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor and 460k dot rear screen.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the FinePix T550, its latest compact travel zoom camera. The T550 has a 16MP CCD sensor, features a 12x 24-288mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens, image stabilization and 1280 x 720 video. The camera also comes with a sweep panorama mode as well as several effects filters. In the UK Fujifilm is releasing the T500, which is identical aside from a 2.7-inch versus 3.0-inch rear LCD panel.

CES 2013: Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-ZS30 (TZ40 in Europe) and ZS25 (TZ35 in Europe) compact superzoom cameras. The higher specified ZS30 features a 20x optical zoom, 1080p60 video and Wi-Fi capability. The biggest new feature on offer, however is Near Field Communication (NFC), a close-proximity radio connection that the ZS30 can use to initiate a Wi-Fi connection with a compatible device simply by tapping the two together. The cameras will be available at the end of March in both black and white color schemes.

CES 2013: Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-TS5 (FT5 in Europe) and TS25 (FT25 in Europe) compact waterproof and shock-resistant 'adventure' cameras. The higher specified TS5 is waterproof at depths of up to 12m (39 feet) features a 28-128mm equiv 4.6x zoom lens, 1080p60 video and Wi-Fi capability. New on offer is Near Field Communication (NFC), a close-proximity radio connection that the camera can use to initiate a Wi-Fi connection with a compatible device simply by tapping the two together. The cameras will be available at the end of March in a range of colors.