Fuji announced the new Finepix XP130 (with IBIS)

Fuji announced the new Xp130 which you can already preorder at BHphoto. I find it amazing that Fuji had an announcement today, has another announcement next week (Jan 31 for the X-A5) and has another one on Feb 14 (X-H1). They never rest :)

 

Press Release

FUJIFILM INTRODUCES NEW RUGGED FINEPIX XP130, THE PERFECT COMPANION FOR ANY ADVENTURE

Featuring the latest Bluetooth® technology, four rugged protection features and versatile shooting functions in a compact, lightweight body

Valhalla, N.Y., January 24, 2018 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation has announced the FinePix XP130, the newest addition to the rugged XP series. The XP130 is the first in the line to feature the latest Bluetooth® technology for easy to use, instant image transfer, and is also equipped with new shooting functions such as an Electronic Level and Eye Detection to provide even greater versatility. Equipped with a FUJINON lens and four rugged protection features in a lightweight body, the new XP130 is durable and delivers high quality images, making it the perfect companion for any kind of adventure.

Four-Way Rugged Protection for Worry-Free Use

The XP130 is waterproof up to 65 feet / 20 meters, shockproof up to 5.7 feet / 1.75 meters, freeze proof to 14°F / -10°C and dustproof, and features a protective, double-locking mechanism for the battery compartment. With a grip design for firm one-handed grip, the new XP130 is designed for ease of use and is tough enough for shooting in all situations.

Bluetooth® Pairing and Wireless LAN Connectivity for Photo Transfer and Instax Printing

Now featuring the latest Bluetooth® technology, the XP130 can instantly transfer images to a smartphone or tablet, while syncing time and location information from the camera to the images. Utilizing the free “FUJIFILM Camera Remote” app, users can take advantage of this new feature to quickly and easily share photos and videos with family or friends. Images can even be transferred from the XP130 directly to an Instax SHARE™ Printer.

Premium Image Quality Achieved with High-Performance Sensor and Lens

The new XP130 is equipped with a 16.4 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and FUJINON 5x optical zoom lens that includes a 28mm wide-angle setting and provides unique color reproduction technology and advanced sharpness to deliver outstanding image quality. With Intelligent Digital Zoom technology, the optical zoom range can be doubled to 10x, and, utilizing optical image stabilization, the XP130 minimizes the effects of camera shake even in low light conditions.

Compact and lightweight with a Large LCD monitor and Ease of Use Design

Compact and lightweight, the new XP130 features a large 3.0-inch 920K-dot high definition LCD monitor with anti-reflective, enabling users to comfortably check composition and pictures taken in bright daylight or underwater. The operation buttons on the XP130 are of optimal size and positioned to enable smooth operation and ease of use even while wearing gloves or holding the camera with one hand.

Versatile Shooting Functions for Enhanced Photography

The XP130 features a new Electronic Level feature that is particularly useful when capturing horizontal subjects such as beautiful landscapes, scenery or architecture. There is also a new Eye Detection feature that is designed to focus on the eyes of the subject, enabling the user to capture portraits with ease. Additional features include Cinemagraph mode that produces still images with moving elements, the Time-Lapse Video function that automatically converts images to video format utilizing the interval timer, the Burst Mode that captures up to 10 fps and smooth HD video recording of 60 fps.

FinePix XP130 Key Features:

  • 16.4MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor and FUJINON 5x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle setting
    • Intelligent Digital Zoom function extends zoom range up to 10x
  • Four-way protection:
    • Waterproof up to 65 feet/20 meters, shockproof to 5.7 feet/1.75 meters, freeze proof to 14°F/ -10°C and dust proof
  • Compact lightweight design with 3.0 inch 920K dot high definition LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating
  • Bluetooth® Pairing and Wireless LAN connectivity, Smartphone Transfer and the FUJIFILM Camera Remote app
    • Transfer photos and videos from the XP130 to your smartphone or tablet, or directly to the Instax SHARE SP-2 or SP-3 Printer for quick, high-quality prints
  • Scene Recognition Mode quickly determines the scene before optimizing focus, exposure and shutter speed for best possible results
    • Underwater and underwater macro functions available
  • Electronic Level Feature: Can be used to capture horizontal subjects
    • Eye Detection feature helps to capture portraits easily by automatically focusing on subject’s eyes
  • Remote Shooting function: Allows for wireless connection from the XP130 to a smartphone or tablet for remote camera operations such as releasing the shutter or zooming in and out
  • Interval Timer Shooting: Automatically shoots any number of images in set intervals
    • Interval can be set to either 5 or 10 minutes, or 15, 30 or 60 seconds
  • Burst Mode up to 10 fps, and Advanced Burst Mode capable of shooting at up to 60 fps
  • TimeLapse Video: Automatically converts images taken with interval timer to video
    • Frame rates of 10fps, 30fps or 60 fps can be selected along with three different types of movie size, including full HD.  Allows for capturing transitions in nature from a stationary point, such as sunsets or opening flowers
  • Cinemagraph mode: Produces still images with moving elements
  • Motion Panorama 360° function for superb panoramic shots, and the Advanced Filter function to create advanced artistic effects with ease
    • Select from 11 filters when taking pictures or 7 filters during video recording
  • Records smooth Full HD video at 1080/60p with a dedicated movie button
  • Wind Filter Setting: reduces wind noise which is often a problem with outdoor movie recording

Availability and Pricing

The FinePix XP130 will be released in March 2018 in the U.S. and Canada for USD$229.95 and CAD $239.99.

Instagrammers are sucking the life and soul out of travel

TheGuardian posted an interesting analysis of the Instagram influence on travel:

– The Instagrammability of a destination is apparently now the number one motivation for booking a holiday for millennials.
– These Instagrammers are collectively sucking the joy and spontaneity out of travel photography
– The centering of the self to such an extent is new too, and at the expense of knowledge, exploration and adventure.
– When most travel photographs on Instagram begin to look like fashion editorials you have to wonder whether anyone is learning anything.

At the end this is the worrisome effect of being an Instagrammer:

You might think social media would diversify the range of images we see, yet the most popular users operate according to a strict schema that takes full advantage of the relevant algorithms (creative, fascinating accounts are still there, but said algorithms make them harder to find). And it’s not just travel – it’s interiors, fashion, weddings, food, children. Social media encourages the memeification of human experience. Instead of diversity we see homogeneity. It’s extremely boring.

I couldn’t agree more.

My friend and professional swedish Fashion Photographer Jockum Klenell commented on this:

It has so many negative sides for photography as a communicative medium and its killing our curiosity as travellers. I have no need of going to Bali because it feels, digitally, as if half of the world population with a smartphone and insta account has been there. This is a massive dark philosophical void which is very depressing to think about.
Luckily, and this is what I hang on to, all those people that the article is about, will never see or photograph what we will or what we look for in our images. That keeps us different from those masses who all do the same thing.
It only encourages me to step further away from the mass production of selfies at well known sites.

First leaked pictures of the new Mavic Air

Dronedj leaked the first pictures of the new Mavic Air that will be announced tomorrow. These are the specs:

  • A 32-megapixel camera with panorama mode
  • 1/2.3 CMOS sensor and new ISP (Image Signal Processor)
  • 4K video spec @ 60fps
  • 3-way gimbal (upgrade from 2-way on Spark)
  • Four foldable legs like the current Mavic Pro
  • Obstacle-avoidance sensors in the front, bottom, and back
  • Equipped with a VPS – Visual Positioning System for better control, hovering and indoor flying
  • Gesture control
  • 21-minute flight time
  • It will be available in different matte colors: white, black and red we’ve seen so far
  • Compatible with DJI Goggles

Ted Forbes reviews the Light L16 camera

Ted:

This is my long awaited review of the Light L16. Announced 2 years ago it is finally out. The Light L16 combines 16 lenses in a mobile style body. Light say this is aimed to replace a traditional DSLR and a bag of lenses. The Light L16 uses computational imaging to get to the final image. When you make a photograph, it uses multiple lenses to compose the photo. Up to 10 images are combined and then stitched together in post production. On the widest angle setting this produces an 81 Megapixel image. So how does it work and what do the images look like?

Will both Canon and Nikon announce Full Frame mirrorless in February?

And now even Canonrumors reports about a possible High End (Full Frame?) mirrorless system camera presentation coming in February.

We’ve been told that Canon is sending out “very elaborate” invites to select dealers and VIPs for a mirrorless camera announcement next month.
The invitation was described as being very high end, printed on heavy glossy paper and showing a silhouette of a camera shaped like the EOS M6 with a hole cut out where the sensor would be.

Also Nikon might announce something before the CP+ show. But with both companies we still have no clue about what camera they will announce with what kind of lenses. But to sum up this seems to be the “trend”:

  1. Both companies could announced their FF mirrorless cameras (or prototypes or roadmap) on CP+ show.
  2. Both seem to use proper new mounts. They will not use the current DSLR mount and just take away the mirror :)
  3. Both seem to go for the Full Frame and not for the APS-C sensor.