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Canon EOS R3 Launches – Mirrorless is The Future with Canon

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Canon launched the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 some time ago. Those two cameras came highly acclaimed by Canon to be the future in photography. It also marks Canon’s shift in their product direction. The EOS R5 was the first full-frame photography camera from Canon that shot videos at 8K resolutions. They were not Canon’s first ever mirrorless cameras though. For that honour, you have to look back at Canon’s EOS R launched a year before the Canon EOS R5 and R6 launched.

With the introduction of Canon’s EOS R series cameras, they also introduced their new lenses made for mirrorless cameras. Canon claims that because the flange is bigger, and that it can be placed closer to the sensor, the lenses can be made with higher quality materials with even bigger elements and bigger lens opening. It basically opens whole new possibilities for photographers and even film makers around the world.

Professionals could opt for the Canon EOS R5. It packs 45-Megapixel within its full frame sensor. It could shoot videos at 8K. It could even take burst photos at up to 20 frames a second. That is 20 45-Megapixel photos every second. It is as high end as a camera as it can be.

The thing is, there are photographers that shoots on the Canon EOS 1DX platform. The 1DX is technically Canon’s flagship full frame camera meant for professionals. It is the camera that shoots most of the photos in a football pitch. It is the camera of choice for plenty of photographers who are hired to take photos of the president of the United States in the White House. It is also the platform of choice for plenty of Formula 1 photographers, which says a lot on the Canon EOS 1DX’s pedigree.

The Canon EOS 1DX platform is an aging platform though, despite its prowess. Fans are now asking for a mirrorless platform too. A full frame mirrorless platform like the Canon EOS R5 has proven to be more versatile piece of kit without the heft and weight of a regular DSLR.

The Canon EOS R3 – The Replacement

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    Source: Canon
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    Source: Canon

Canon has answered though with the Canon EOS R3 that was just launched in Malaysia today. The Canon EOS R3 is the sum of Canon’s know how in the EOS R mirrorless technology. It is about combining the full power of high-resolution photography with speeds known only to the 1DX platform. It is built for the next-generation sports photography.

The Canon EOS R3 packs 24.1-Megapixel, half of the EOS R5. That allows the Canon EOS 1DX to be a better low-light shooter though. It still packs 20% more pixels than the EOS 1DX Mark III it replaces though. It shoots at a native ISO range of 100 to 102,400 and is expandable to up to 204,800. For videos, the ISO range is lower at 100 to 25,600. You still can extend that range to 102,400 though.

Speed is Everything

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    Source: Canon
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    Source: Canon

Speed is everything in sports photography. With the new DIGIC X engine, the Canon EOS R3 is an even faster shooter than the Canon EOS R5 too. It can shoot at up to 30fps with its silent electronic shutter. Even using the mechanical shutter, it shoots at up to 12 frames a second. Shutter speed can be as fast as 1/64,000 with electronic shutter for that ultra-sharp and highly detailed sports photo. You write all your photos into a super-high-speed CF-Express Type-B card too. For redundancy, there is an SD card slot capable of UHS-II speeds.

The Canon EOS R3 is an even cleverer shooter than its predecessors. It comes with the highly acclaimed Eye Control autofocus that tracks and focuses to the eye of your subjects. The function helps photographers shift focus even faster and even more seamlessly when the need arises. It is even more powerful than before with deep-learning technology allowing the camera to focus on the subject’s eye even if the face is partially covered or masked.

While they have also improved head tracking to ensure that athletes are tracked properly while wearing helmets, masks, or goggles, the most welcome autofocus feature that photographers might appreciate is Vehicle Priority AF mode. Automobiles and motorcycles are hard to photograph due to their high-speed nature. A quick and clever autofocus system would be required to take close-up shots of a speeding vehicle on the track. The new autofocus system is fast enough that it can even track the driver or rider’s head with Spot Detection enabled.

A Reliable Platform

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    Source: Canon
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    Source: Canon

The In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) on the Canon EOS R series has been touted as some of the best the camera world has ever seen. That same IBIS implementation is back in the Canon EOS R3. That also means that you can shoot impressive long-exposure photos even without the help of a tripod.

The IBIS also benefits in terms of free-handed video shots. On that front, the EOS R3 is capable of shooting videos at up to 6K resolution (60p). It does not have quite as much resolution as the 45-Megapixel R5. It is also still capable of shooting 4K videos at 120p and 10-bit colours though. If you must shoot at the very best quality, the EOS R3 is capable of oversampling 6K videos into 4K 60p videos. You want to use Canon Log 3 and HDR PQ with those settings for the best possible results on your videos.

Photographers will also appreciate that the Canon EOS R3 comes with a slew of networking options for seamless file transfers and even synchronisation options. It packs the usual Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. There is also a standard GPS mode for even more convenience. It packs a full-sized LAN port though for an even faster data transfer speed without requiring additional accessories. For a quick mobile transfer, you can use a USB Type-C cable to connect your smartphones to the EOS R3. The USB Type-C port can also act as a charging port (via USB Power Adapter PD-E1) for the EOS R3 in case you need extra juice.

Availability

The Canon EOS R3 will be available in Malaysia November 2021 onward. Alongside the new Canon EOS R3 flagship camera, Canon also launches two new RF100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens and RF16mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens for the EOS R platform. Their prices are yet to be mentioned and should be announced closer to its availability dates. More information on the Canon EOS R3 and the new RF lenses can be found on their website.

Camera, Lifestyle, News

Sony Introduces the Alpha ZV-E10 – The Perfect Small Camera for Content Creators

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The content creator market is huge in 2021. Of course, the rise in various social media mediums like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and even Twitch has created this huge demand for contents over the internet. To be fair, Twitch may not be a social media platform per se, but it does create a huge demand in more live streamed contents; pretty much what Facebook is doing with regular and even Facebook Gaming platform. In all these, the most popular contents are also the visual contents like videos and photo updates. Written contents have been taking a backseat for a while and we all know that.

On that note, we want to thank everyone who is still coming to the site to read our news updates, reviews, and editorial articles. We appreciate you and you are the reason we do what we do. Do let us know what you think we can do more of, or better in the comment section below or our social media platforms though.

With modern social media as well, content creation has been at its simplest form today. All you need is a smartphone that can support all the apps to start creating contents. Of course, using your smartphone to create contents can be pretty limiting. We always say that if you want to make the best video or photography content, invest in a camera; there are plenty of choices out there too. Today, your decision-making process is going to be a little harder, or easier, depending on how you look at it.

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Source: Sony

The Sony Alpha (α) ZV-E10, as they call it, is meant to sit above the ZV-1 compact camera. Rightfully so, with an APS-C cropped sensor instead of the small 1-inch sensor of the compact ZV-1. It is also an interchangeable lens camera with Sony’s proprietary E-Mount. This opens up a whole plethora of creative possibilities with Sony’s extensive E-Mount lenses as well.

It features a 24.2-Megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor backed by Sony’s brilliant BIONZ X image processor. Of course, with a bigger sensor than the ZV-1, you should be getting a better image quality and better low-light performance from the ZV-E10. At the same time, there are a few features that makes this camera perfect for both experienced and new content creators.

For one, the Sony α ZV-E10 packs a clever Background Defocus feature that was first seen and highly acclaimed in the ZV-1. While the feature is more catered for vloggers, it is a clever system to sort of mimic the depth-of-field effect you get with more expensive lenses and larger camera sensors without spending the extra money. At the same time, it is less focus sensitive in this implementation, which allows subjects extra movement tolerances. “Product Showcase Setting” mode is also something that content creators can appreciate to quickly shift focus from the subject’s face to a highlighted object.

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Source: Sony

At 343g (body only), the Sony α ZV-E10 is lighter than even the Sony α6400, and way lighter than the high-end Sony α7 series of cameras. That also means an added portability and versatility in your shoots. You do not need a large space to lug the ZV-E10 around and setting it up can be as easy as pulling it out of the bag and just point at your subject.

The α ZV-E10 is made with videos in mind though. It shoots at up to 4K 30fps and Full HD 120fps (slow-motion) to make this one of the most versatile compact shooters available in the current market. Of course, Sony’s clever electronic image stabilisation makes an appearance here. You do have to turn on Active Mode for stabilisation to kick in though. Still, you can get a crisp, stable 4K vlogs from the camera.

The new Sony compact camera is also sort of made to be a one-stop-shop for content creation. That is why the α ZV-E10 comes with Sony’s industry leading Fast Hybrid autofocus, and real-time Eye autofocus and tracking for all sorts of contents. You can use the camera to take great looking and detailed photos and track a moving subject for fast moving videos. You may not even need a separate mic with the α ZV-E10 too with its built-in Direction 3-capsule Mic and a wind screen included out-of-the-box. If you have a mic, you can easily use the ZV-E10’s mic jack on its side.

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The Sony α ZV-E10 will be available in Malaysia from September 2021 onward. You can select between black or white colour options with the new camera. At launch the Sony α ZV-E10 will be available for MYR 2,599 (body only) and MYR 3,099 for a kit lens (E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS) bundle. More information on Sony’s camera systems and the α ZV-E10 can be found on their website.

Accessories, Camera, Gaming, News

Pikafy Your Instax Mini with the New Nintendo-Fujifilm Collaboration

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Need a little more Nintendo in your life? Well, Fujifilm is making it a little bit easier to get your Nintendo fix with a new, Switch-themed version of their Instax Mini Link. The collaboration also brings with it a new app that will help you infuse even more Animal Crossing, Pokemon and Mario into your life.

https://youtu.be/XIzRdmio1VA

The new collaboration brings a whole lot of Nintendo into the Polaroid-style Instax films. Using the new “Instax mini Link for Nintendo Switch” app, you will be able to add filters and 59 new frames from popular games like Super Mario, Animal Crossing and the new Pokemon Snap game. While the actual printer retains its original design, it comes with a Switch like blue and red accent. If that isn’t Nintendo enough, there’s even a bundle with a Pikachu silicone case.

Using the app is as simple as downloading the official Fujifilm Link app. Using the app, you will be able to edit images and merge them with one of the 59 Nintendo inspired frames. After which, it will send the final image to the connected Fujifilm Instax Mini Link. The printer connects via Bluetooth. You can even print captures from your Nintendo Switch by scanning the QR code from the Switch which will import the image to your smartphone.

The Nintendo inspired Fujifilm Instax Mini Link is slated for release on April 30, 2021. It will set you back USD$100 (MYR410.79) while the Pikachu bundle will cost USD$120 (MYR492.95). The app is free to download and will still function with existing Instax Mini Link printers.

Camera, Computers, Mobile, News

More is Better – Canon Launches Printers with 6 Ink Tanks

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If you go out to buy a modern printer off the shelf today, you would not be surprised to find printers that comes with four tanks to be filled with four different colours of ink. You get the usual Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black combination (CMYK). That has been the way printers been since the early days of colour printing. Before the age of refillable tanks in modern printers, it was the age of printer ink cartridges that comes in two variants, the Black, and the Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow variant for both black and white and colour printing. You see at most two cartridges for that.

Canon has been one of the leaders in consumer printing solutions. They also have been championing refillable ink tanks solutions in modern consumer printer solutions. Refillable tanks are much cheaper to run compared to specifically built ink cartridges and can be more reliable. Our own office printer runs on refillable tanks too, in fact. We also think that the 4-tank solution is one of the best things that has come to modern consumer printers.

Source: Canon

But what if you can have more tanks in your printer. What if your printer has six tanks? It seems like you can try to figure that out on your own with Canon’s PIXMA G570 and PIXMA G670 printers.

There is an additional Grey ink and Red ink tanks for both the new Canon PIXMA printers. One of the added benefits to that the printer is now able to produce more prints than before, especially coloured prints thanks to the added overall storage volume of the tanks. Of course, you would have to spend a little bit more than before when you refill, because two extra tanks. You get up to 3,800 sheets of 4 x 6 photo prints from one set of included ink.

The other benefit to printing with two extra colours on the printer is better colour reproduction never seen before in this type of printers. If you compare the modern 4-tank ink printers to the likes of laser printers, or even cartridge-based printers, the colour prints from 4-tank ink printers tend to be a little washed out and less vivid, especially where you see red. The additional Red and Grey ink sets are supposed to add some extra colour details where it was not possible before with the CMYK arrangement. The effects will be more apparent if you use photo paper obviously.

Source: Canon

Of course, the Canon PIXMA G570 and PIXMA G670 retains all the smart features of a modern printer. You can use the Canon PRINT Inkjet or SELPHY smartphone app to print directly from your smartphones as usual. You can also connect PIXMA G570 and G670 to your office network and cloud storages for remote printing and even scanning purposes via PIXMA Cloud Link.

If you download the Canon Easy-PhotoPrint Editor app on iOS, Android, Windows and even Mac OS, you can edit your photos and add all sorts of filters first before you send it to the printer for a quick print. You can use the app as well to create calendars, postcards, business cards, and more. The Canon PosterArtist Lite app on Windows can also help you quickly create posters from over 1,300 templates, photos, and clipart.

Source: Canon

The Canon PIXMA G570 and G670 will be available today onward from all Canon’s authorised retailers, official stores, and partnering online stores today onward. The Canon PIXMA G570 will set you back MYR 1,229 while the PIXMA G670 will retail at MYR 1,529. For more information on the new Canon PIXMA printers with six ink tanks, you can visit Canon’s website.

Accessories, Camera, Lifestyle

DJI Air 2S Takes to the Skies with 5.4K Video and 20-Megapixel Photographs

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A few months ago, DJI launched their most advanced compact aerial photography and videography tool ever. They launched the DJI Mini 2, a follow up to what was a very successful DJI Mavic Mini. It is just a matter of time then for them to start updating the whole line-up and shorten the names of their products. The next product to receive that treatment is the DJI Mavic Air 2.

The DJI Mavic Air 2, before the launched the DJI Mavic Mini, was the most compact consumer level Mavic drone they made. It was capable of more than 30 minutes of flight and could record videos at 4K resolution which made it a very compelling prosumer tool to have. The DJI Mini 2 can do that now too though, at half the size. The DJI Mavic Air 2 needed an upgrade.

Welcome to the DJI Air 2S, the replacement for the DJI Mavic Air 2. The DJI Air 2S now shoots out of a 1-inch sensor, twice larger than the older DJI Mavic Air. A larger sensor allows more light to hit individual pixels to produce more detailed images at low-light conditions and regular lighting conditions alike. It now only shoots at 20-Megapixel compared to 48-Megapixel from before. But the lower Megapixel count also means that the DJI Air 2S shoots better in low-light conditions thanks to larger individual pixels in the already larger sensor.

Source: DJI

At the same time, the DJI Air 2S packs more sensors than the older DJI Mavic Air 2. Instead of the regular front, back, and downward sensor, the DJI Air 2S has an upward sensor so you do not accidentally send it into a tree branch when you first take flight. It also means that flying is even easier and safer now on the DJI Air 2S.

Of course, when you get a DJI drone, you are not only going to take a photo from the skies. You want to take videos from the skies as well. In that department you have 5.4K at your disposal on the DJI Air 2S. You can also opt to still shoot at 4K resolution. In that mode, you can shoot at up to 60fps. You can also shoot those videos at up 10-bit colour profile (D-Log, HLG) in either H.264 or H.265 format.

The DJI Air 2S can also go beyond 10km in remote range. Thanks to DJI’s OcuSync 3, the DJI Air 2S can be controlled at 12km distance. That 12km remote range is also coupled with a Full HD 1080p video feed to the remote, which also means you are not technically flying blind. Additionally, the ability to fly that distance at up to 31-minutes also means that you can get it to fly that far, with less battery anxiety.

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Of course, if you have flown modern DJI drones, the flyer app will tell you which areas you can fly your drones at, or if flying in that area is frowned upon. If you are really new to flying a drone, the DJI can even automatically take off for you and even land where it takes off automatically using the “Return to Home” function. All this is thanks to the inclusion of GPS antenna and DJI’s own GEO 2.0 geofencing algorithm.

Source: DJI

The DJI Air 2S is now available in Malaysia via DJI’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada. You can get your hands on the DJI Air 2S now at MYR 4,499. As expected from DJI, there is also a Fly More Combo at MYR 5,975 that gives you two extra batteries, an extra set of propellers, and a charger capable of charging all three included battery at once. You can find out more about the DJI Air 2S on DJI’s website.

Accessories, Camera, Consumer Electronics, News

The DJI FPV – Redefining the Flying Drone Experience

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You know those really impressive aerial footages you see on YouTube and such. There used to be a time where getting a video shot like that requires you to hire a helicopter, bring a video camera on-board, strap yourself in, and take off for 30 minutes at a time. It was a huge affair, and it was not cheap, as you might have guessed.

Flying drone technology though took all of the pains of aerial photography and videography away. It made aerial videos and photography way more affordable than before. It made them way simpler than before too. Basically the rise of the likes of DJI made aerial photography and videography accessible to the regular public.

For 15 years DJI has been the leader in consumer drone technology. For 15 years also they have innovated non-stop to make drone flying easier, safer, and even more affordable than before. For 15 years, they have stuck to the same recipe of multiple rotors and small electronic body housing the battery and camera package with their world renown 3-axis gimbal.

DJI - Introducing DJI FPV

Once again, DJI innovated and revolutionised consumer grade flying drones with their latest DJI FPV. As suspected, FPV stands for First Person View. This is a different breed of flying drones.

The DJI FPV shares more similarities in looks with the DJI Aspire professional filmmaker drones than the consumer level Mavic or even the prosumer level DJI Phantoms. But it is unlike any other drone that DJI has ever made. It even flies a little differently compared to DJI’s existing drones.

For one, the camera gimbal assembly is mounted a little differently compared to the regular DJI drone. The whole design concept allows for better aerodynamics to keep flight as stable and smooth as possible.

If you look at the marketing shots too, you realise that the drone looks like it is in a forward moving position, with its front propellers point toward the ground and the rear propellers pointing up. That is because this is default state it should be at, on the move.

What the marketing photos do not tell you though is how the new DJI FPV is modular. According to DJI, each part of the FPV, including the rotor arms, the outer shell housing, and camera gimbal is detachable and replaceable. That also means that servicing or fixing or even replacing parts on the drone is much cheaper and easier than before.

Of course, in-line with its name, the DJI FPV comes with DJI’s FPV Goggles V2 for an immersive flight experience. You can get video feeds at 1440 x 810 resolution at up to 120fps in 142o Field of View. Or you can get up to 150o field of view at 50fps. You can get your video feed at about 28ms latency. In wireless video feed mode, that is as close to instant as you can get. If you want, you can take on up to eight passengers on the flight too with audience mode.

You can even record your flights at 4K resolution at up to 60fps on its single-axis gimbal camera. While that sounds like you are going to get choppy videos, the DJI FPV features their RockSteady stabilisation technology to ensure that you get that DJI smooth video. You can even record videos at 1080p resolution at up to 120fps for 4x slow motion videos.

Of course, this would not be a DJI drone if it is not easy to fly. You can fly it in Normal (N) mode with all the flight assistance tool available to you like proximity sensors, smart flight modes, and even GPS. You can turn it to Manual (M) mode if you are a more experienced or confident flyer. There is also Sports (S) mode that sits in between both N and M modes. It offers the flexibilities and controls from M mode but retains the safety measures that N mode offers.

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There is also a new way to fly the DJI FPV. You can now fly it with a single motion sensitive joystick instead of the traditional remote. Of course, that will take a little bit of practice still. You can practice with the drone with DJI’s Virtual Flight App too, to ensure that you are ready to take on the skies when you are out of your home. You would want the practice, this thing can fly at north of 100km/h.

The DJI FPV is available now in Malaysia from DJI’s local retailer. You can get your hands on one from both DJI’s official store on Lazada and Shopee as well. The price of this flying goodness is MYR 5,299 (US$ 1,299*). For that money you are getting your hands on the drone itself, a regular remote controller, a DJI FPV Goggles V2, additional replacement propellers and the usual chargers, cables, and battery pack. For more information on the DJI FPV, you can visit DJI’s website.

*Actual retail price in US$

Camera, News

FUJIFILM X-E4 Launches in Malaysia, Available Late February 2021 Onward

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FUJIFILM has been making strides in the camera market as of late. They just launched the FUJIFILM GFX100S, a 102-megapixel medium format camera that you can easily work with on the field. The GFX100S is a sort of evolution or shrinking (depending on how you look at it) of the impressive GFX100 they launched last year. The Japanese firm also launches the GF80mm with f/1.7, making it one of the fastest medium format lens money can buy.

They now also launch their new X-E4 mirrorless camera. The X-E4 camera, in contrast to the medium format GFX100S, is a compact shooter that weighs in three times less than the 102-megapixel monster. It is also the most compact of its series in its fourth-generation form at 364g (body only).

Source: FUJIFILM

Of course, how compact it is also depending on you, the user. The X-E4 is still an interchangeable lens mirrorless camera with FUJIFILM’s proprietary X Mount lenses. You can pair the X-E4 to FUJIFILM’s latest XF27mm f/2.8 pancake lens to make this real compact or go for a little more versatility with FUJIFILM’s extensive X Mount zoom lenses.

The X-E4 employs a 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C cropped sensor as expected from FUJIFILM. They are still the only major modern camera manufacturer that does not have a full-frame camera in their line-up. But the 26.1-Megapixel sensor is also packed with FUJIFILM’s latest X-Processor 4 for fast autofocus, 100% frame coverage area for autofocus, and even better tracking autofocus.

Of course, a compact camera needs to be versatile too. The FUJIFILM X-E4 shots videos at 4K 30p. It is not a regular 4K video though. The camera shoots at 6K to be oversampled into 4K 4:2:0 8-bit videos. It can also record videos at 4K 4:2:2 10-bit, but not internally. You can also shoot slow motion videos at Full HD 1080p resolution at 240fps if you need to.

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The FUJIFILM X-E4 will be available in Malaysia late February 2021 onward. It will also be available in two colour choices of Black and Silver, pretty much expected from FUJIFILM. The FUJIFILM X-E4 will also launch alongside the FUJINON Lens XF27mm f/2.8 R WR also available later in February 2021. There are no official pricing yet to be revealed for Malaysia at this time.

Camera, News

FUJIFILM GFX100S Launches in Malaysia – 102-Megapixel From a Bigger Sensor in a Smaller Body

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There is a reason why you hardly see a medium format camera out in the wild or used by street photographers. For one, they are quite humongous compared to the modern full-frame DSLR. That size also comes with some heft to lug around and that affects your mobility greatly. But thanks to bigger sensors, you cannot use your regular lenses made for the full-frame format. They are exorbitantly expensive as well, technically.

But there are some benefits to a larger sensor size like the medium format camera. One of them is the better photo quality thanks to the larger pixel size within the sensor. Because of the larger images produced by the bigger sensor as well, the photos can be printed to a larger poster format with no detail loss too. That is why most photos you see in an art gallery are taken with medium format cameras. Thanks to the larger sensor and pixel size too, the depth of field you get from the camera is quite incredible.

Source: FUJIFILM

Of course, they could make the cameras smaller today thanks to the mirrorless technology. The FUJIFILM GFX50S was one of the few options in the medium format segment with a sensor that fits into a smaller form factor of the full-frame DSLR camera body. In fact, it is a little smaller than some of the flagship class DSLR cameras. That said, it is still not a small piece of kit, nor is it light.

They managed to squeeze more performance into a tighter body with the brand-new FUJIFILM GFX100S though. Get this too, it packs a doubly powerful sensor than before. It packs 102-Megapixel from the same sized sensor from the 50-Megapixel GFX50S. We are entering large format category here.

That medium format 102-megapixel sensor is crammed into a camera body that weighs just 900g, like most full-frame camera bodies. This is way smaller than the FUJIFILM GFX100 launched last year. You also get a five-axis in body image stabilisation mechanics with the GFX100S with up to 6 stops. Thanks to medium format and FUJIFILM’s colour know how, you get incredible images from the FUJIFILM GFX100S.

Source: FUJIFILM

Of course, you need a very powerful image processor to work with more than 100 million pixels as fast as a regular full-frame DSLR camera. For that, they back the medium format sensor with their in-housed developed X-processor 4 CPU that features four cores to work with. The result is stunning 16-bit images with up to 281 trillion colours. Of course, those colours will not translate to it videos.

It is still a capable video shooter with 4K 30fps to work with though and at 10-bit colour colours. While it can shoot at 4K 30p with F-Log, we would recommend you to go with a different sort of camera if you are going to sink a lot of money into video camera workflow. This is a photography beast, a different sort of imaging hardware.

The new image processor also allows the GFX100S to have an even faster auto focus and even wider focus coverage area than before at 100%. The auto focus now tracks moving subjects even better than before for sports photography. You can get up to 5 frames a second in continuous shooting. It might not sound as impressive as Sony’s new mirrorless full-frame contender that can shoot at 30fps. Think about it though, this has a sensor nearly twice as big as the Sony’s sensor.

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  • Source: FUJIFILM
  • Source: FUJIFILM

The FUJIFILM GFX100S will be available in Malaysia toward the end of February 2021. The FUJIFILM GFX100S will also be launching alongside the GF80mm f/1.7 G-Mount prime lens. The GF80mm is also currently FUJIFILM’s fastest medium format lens to date. There are no official local pricings for the new camera or the lens just yet. The FUJIFILM GFX100S will be available soon in the North American market (body only) for US$ 5,999 (MYR 24,255*) though, which is a little more expensive than the older FUJIFILM GFX50S.

*Approximate conversion rate based on US$ 1 = MYR 4.043 on xe.com on 2nd February 2021

Android, Camera, Mobile, News

The New Sony Xperia PRO is the 5G solution for Professionals

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When we say professionals, we do not mean doctors, or businessmen, or Engineers. We mean content creators, filmmakers and such. Those are the kind of people that Sony targets with this device, alongside the brand-new Sony α1 full-frame mirrorless camera. Before we go any further though, we have to break a few hearts with its price.

The Xperia PRO for 2021 is supposed to be available to customers in the North American market from the 26th of January 2021 onward. It will be available for US$ 2,499 (MYR 10,107*). Yes, that is more than MYR 10,000 in Malaysia, that is even before we consider the device coming to town with its own local pricing. That puts it way above the iPhone 12 Pro Max even at the Apple device’s most expensive configuration available on their website. There is a good reason for the pricing for this Android device though.

The Sony Alpha One Stop Shop

Source: Sony

Just looking at the official renders, you can already tell that this is not some regular, chintzy flagship device with all kinds of blings in the world. This is a purpose-built piece of kit that not only functions as a smartphone. It is a personal assistant for content creators that is on a Sony Alpha platform. It is built to enhance your content workflow and even more powerful. It makes you a superhero.

That last statement may be a little bit of an exaggeration. Thing is, with an Alpha camera and the Xperia PRO, you sort of can be a content superhero. This is a one stop shop for an Alpha camera system before you post edit everything on a PC system or Mac, whichever you work on.

The Monitor

Source: Sony

First of all, it has everything you need to get your Alpha workflow compiled in one place. It packs a Type D Micro HDMI input port specifically for Alpha camera systems. That means it acts as a secondary 6.5-inch 4K OLED monitor feed that you can pair with your Alpha camera like the Sony α1.

The Broadcaster, The Cloud Server

Thanks to that HDMI connection that allows 4K capture even on the Xperia PRO too, the combination of an HDMI input from an Alpha camera (they say it works for other cameras too) and the Xperia PRO’s 5G capabilities makes this thing a live broadcaster too. Who says you need to spend an arm and a leg for a dedicated broadcasting gear? Well, you still kind of do, the combination of an Xperia PRO and the Sony α1 is still more than MYR 30,000 in value. But this is really high-quality YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and even Twitch streaming in your pockets.

Of course, you need strong and stable network connection for the Xperia PRO to broadcast to whatever channels you prefer. That is also why the Xperia PRO is designed the way it is. It is so that the device packs a 360-degree optimised mmWave and Sub-6 5G antenna. Combined with low dielectric constant materials for its chassis (not aluminium), 5G connections should remain strong and stable at any given time for optimised broadcasts.

The Xperia PRO could be your one stop shop for photo processing too for Alpha camera systems. You only need to connect your Alpha camera to the Xperia PRO device via USB and transfer all your photos to an FTP server. That means you can save some money on buying extra SD cards and worry more about shooting the best photos you can get.

The Sony Xperia PRO Smartphone

Source: Sony

Now, to the smartphone bits. We start with what empowers the Sony Xperia PRO. We start with its heart, the processor, the SoC.

It packs a powerful and modern Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G enabled System on a Chip (SoC). This 5G enabled device is capable of multi gigabit speeds. As mentioned, that could be critical for broadcasting needs. But a powerful and punch SoC is important too to get ensure that everything you need on the device connected to the Alpha camera is seamless and smooth. Of course, for all intents and purposes, Sony packs 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via MicroSDXC) to go alongside the powerful SoC to avoid any bottlenecks.

Out the back is the same camera system you find on the Sony Xperia 1 II flagship smartphone. Why fix something that is not broken, right? The Sony Xperia PRO packs a 4K video recording capable triple camera system with a regular wide-angle 12-Megapixel shooter, a 12-Megapixel telephoto lens, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. Out the front is an 8-Megapixel selfie camera, which might not get that much mileage considering the purpose of the device.

  • Source: Sony
  • Source: Sony
  • Source: Sony
  • Source: Sony
  • Source: Sony
  • Source: Sony

Still the display will get plenty of mileage if you have a Sony Alpha camera. It is a 4K HDR 6.5-inch OLED unit that displays colours at DCI-P3 100%. You want accurate colours; this shows even more accurate colours compared to the new Samsung Galaxy S21. Then again, if you need to rely on this device to work on your contents, you want those colours.

The whole unit is rated for IP65/IP68 dust and water resistance and protected with Corning’s very durable Gorilla Glass 6 out the front for protection. That also means that you can take your gear into any weather and still get it to function. Add those on top of the long lasting 4,000 mAh battery and you have a super reliable workhorse to get you through a shoot day.

Pricing and Availability

As previously mentioned, the Sony Xperia Pro will be available in North American markets 26th January 2021 onward. It retails for US$2,499 (MYR 10,107*) in available markets. There are no mentions of the device coming to Malaysia just yet, nor its official local pricing. Do not expect it to be cheap though, and if you are a content creator, you might want to start saving. For more information on the Sony Xperia PRO for 2021, you can visit Sony’s website.  

*Approximate conversion based on US$ 1 = MYR 4.044 on Xe Currency Converter as of 27th January 2021

Camera, News

[UPDATE] Sony Launches the Alpha 1 – the New Benchmark

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When the world marvel over Canon’s new EOS R5, partly because of its 8K video recording capabilities, everyone expected Sony to do the same with their high-end video hero, the Sony Alpha (α) 7S III. They stuck to their ways and went with a better 4K video recording capability though. They introduced a few changes and improvements to make the production favourite even better. The third generation of the low-light champion has better dynamic range, and even better colour science. In that sense, if you are looking for a great camera that can do great looking videos without breaking your production budget, the α7S III should be right on top of your list.

Of course, while any big rumours of 8K video capabilities have been snuffed out by Sony launching the α7S III, Sony was not done yet. Not to be outdone by their countrymen, they launched their α1 last night (11.00 p.m. Malaysia time +0800 GMT). The headline figures are impressive.

50.1-Megapixel, 8K @30p, 4K @120p

Source: Sony

The headline figures read 50.1-Megapixel full-frame sensor. It is still mirrorless, so it is fitted into a body as big as the current α7 body. It is the same size as the Sony α9 II as well.

That 50.1-Megapixel full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor is backed by a brand new improved BIONZ XR image processor with eight folds of processing power over the previous image processor you find on the α9 II. That image processor allows up to 120 autofocus calculations every second at 30fps blackout free continuous shoot. That is twice as fast as the α9 II. 30fps is also as fast as a regular film that you watch in the cinema, by the way.

That powerful sensor also enables the Sony α1 to shoot videos at 8K resolution at 30fps with 10-bit 4:2:0 XAVC HS video format for as long as 30-minutes. That 8K footage is oversampled internally at 8.6K for even more detail on your 8K footage; it is Sony after all. You might not use 8K that often, but you will appreciate its 10-bit 4:2:2 4K videos at 120fps capabilities; slow motion has never looked better. Of course, you get access to Sony’s very famous S-Log profiles up to S-Log3. At the same time Sony is adding S-Cinetone colour matrix profile to the camera for even more creative flexibility for filmmakers.

8K Sample Video | Alpha 1 | Sony | α
Source: Sony

It is not like it will underperform under low-light conditions too. The α1 features 15 stops on dynamic range for stills and even more for videos. You can see better too, through the lenses with the new Electronic ViewFinder that projects 9.44 million dots at 240fps.

Eye AF (Autofocus) has been improved too, now it works nicely with 4K videos and is even faster alongside its general AF capabilities. You can even track birds with the new Eye AF algorithm. The new AF system also covers about 92% of the frame at 759 phase detection points so you have more room to place your subjects.

Even Faster, More Stable, All Around Better

Source: Sony

The α1 is also now the world’s fastest camera with 1/400 seconds flash sync speed with its mechanical shutter. Because it is Sony, they over engineered the mechanical shutter, obviously. It is a carbon fibre unit with two drive units to make it super-fast. At the same time though, more shutter speed also means that you get more creative room in the studio.

The α1 also features a new sort of stabilisation mechanism for both a better image quality and even more stable videos. Keep in mind that Sony’s lenses do not have built-in stability mechanism and stabilisation is solely done within the camera body. While that may not look as impressive as Canon’s EOS R5 or R6 in their plain form, put Sony’s footage into Sony’s Catalyst Browse and Prepare applications and watch the magic unfold.

The α1 is not just better in all that areas though. In some very magical way, the α1 has minimised its rolling shutter problem with a new electronic shutter function. We see this implemented in the α7S III as well, but apparently the one on the α1 is even better. We will not know until we see its implementation right next to α7S III.

Connectivity Options

Source: Sony

Sony also launched the Sony Xperia PRO alongside the α1 camera. Get this though, the Sony Xperia PRO with 5G connectivity and 4K display can be used as α1’s 4K HDMI output monitor so that you do not have to rely on the tiny display on the Sony α. With the Sony Xperia PRO you are also adding some 5G capabilities to the Sony α1.

Of course, like the Sony α7S III the new Sony α1 is powered by their proprietary Z-series battery with support for a vertical grip. The two media slots can support up to UHS-II SDXC/SDHC cards or Sony’s new SFexpress Type A cards for even faster read/write speeds. We do recommend these if you want to shoot 8K videos or 4K videos at 120fps though. Get this too, the Sony α1 packs a SuperSpeed 10Gbps USB port and an ethernet port for professional convenience and workflows. That is on top of its built-in WiFi antenna. All of that in a body no bigger than a compact APS-C DSLR, imagine that.

Price and Availabilty

Source: Sony

While you are now salivating all over the floor with the thought of getting your hands on one, hold your horses. The Sony α1 will be available in North American region in March 2021 onward at approximately US$ 6,500 (MYR 26,286*) for the body only. There are no official figures or launch dates for Malaysia just yet. For more information on the Sony α1, head over to their website.

**UPDATE: Sony Electronics Malaysia has confirmed that the Sony Alpha 1 (α1) will be available in Malaysia April 2021 onward. No confirmed pricing just yet.

*Approximate conversion based on US$ 1 = MYR 4.044 on Xe Currency Converter as of 27th January 2021