A Sneak Peek into the Hot Products Launching Now

A new year typically marks the launch of new cameras and gear heralded at shows like CES and our own WPPI. Readers attending WPPI will be among the first photographers to sample the newest cameras being launched by Canon, Nikon and Pentax during the first part of 2015. We enjoyed a sneak peek at some of these products at CES and trust us, you’re in for a treat.

Samsung’s NX500
Samsung is following up its flagship NX1 with the new NX500. It will share many of the same features as the 4K-recording NX1, including its 28-megapixel, APS-C-sized sensor and image processor. It will clock in a bit slower during continuous shooting (a still respectable 9 fps) but will also be smaller and offer a flip-up display, perfect for framing selfless.

Canon MEGA Pixels
If you keep up with the latest camera news, you will know by now that Canon has introduced two new variants of the EOS 5D Mark III: the EOS 5Ds ($3,699) and 5Ds R ($3,899, with a disabled IR filter for an additional $300). Unless another company just sprang a real surprise, this is one of the most significant cameras for our readers.

Both cameras have a 50.6-megapixel full-frame sensor, a considerable jump over the 22-megapixel sensor in the 5D Mark III. In case you’re wondering, the pixel density in the 5Ds is virtually identical to that in the 20-megapixel APS-C sensor in the 7D Mark II. Because the 5Ds uses the same dual DIGIC 6 processors and other features from the 7D Mark II, it has similar operational characteristics. That also means lower ISO (just 6400) and a slower frame rate of 5 fps. Canon is definitely aiming this model at still photographers, as the video capabilities are less than that of the regular 5D Mark III. For instance, there’s no clean HDMI output.

The other significant new product is an 11-24mm f/4L zoom lens, which features the world’s largest ground aspherical lens element for a DSLR, and pricey at $2,999.

New DSLR from Nikon
The Nikon D5500 ($899.95) was the only new DSLR unveiled at CES. It is Nikon’s latest iteration of its entry-level model, featuring the same 24.6-megapixel APS-C sensor as in the older D5300, but without an optical low-pass filter. Other than a slight decrease in the body size, the only significant change is the addition of a touch screen to the fully articulated 3.2-inch, 1.37-million-dot monitor. It retains built-in Wi-Fi, but loses the built-in GPS found in the D5300. You’ll pay $900 for the body, or $1,000 for the body plus an 18-55mm lens.

Joining the D5500 will be a new 3.6x zoom lens. The AF-S DX 50-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II ($350) offers three stops of Vibration Reduction and a silent wave motor.

Nikon’s also updated its 300mm f/4 lens last month with the new AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4 EPF ED VR lens. It uses a phase Fresnel design that helps to shed a full pound and a half of weight and 30 percent of size versus the earlier generation lens. It has an electro-magnetically controlled diaphragm that delivers more consistently when shooting at faster frame rates, according to Nikon. The lens’ Vibration Reduction technology offers up to 4.5 stops of correction with a sports mode and tripod detection. The telephoto lens will retail for $2,000.

Previews from Pentax
Since Ricoh purchased Pentax, it has not been clear what might happen to the Pentax brand, which still has a loyal following. According to company officials we spoke with at CES, the medium-format 645Z has been selling so well that Ricoh is having trouble keeping up with demand. Pentax says it intends to continue growing its DSLR offerings, and the first new model is the 20-megapixel K-S2, which offers more controls than the K-S1, including built-in Wi-Fi and an improved grip. It also hinted that a more pro-level DSLR would be coming to market later this year.

The Olympus E-M5 Mark II
Following up the successful OM-D E-M5 is the new E-M5 Mark II. The big upgrade is the incorporation of a 5-axis stabilization system that Olympus claims delivers five stops worth of image stabilization according to CIPA standards. It uses a 16-megapixel Live MOS image sensor to deliver 1080p HD video recording up to 60 fps. It’s faster than its predecessor, too, clocking in with a burst mode of 10 fps. Using a new multi-shot mode, the camera can compile multiple exposures into a single, 64MB RAW image. The body will sell for $1,099.

3D Printers
In my opinion, the standout takeaway from CES in January was the growing viability of 3D printers. There were more than a dozen companies—including MakerBot, 3D Systems, Solidoodle, Ultimaker and XYZprinting, to name just a handful—showing off their newest printers, most of which are producing far more realistic-looking objects using easier-to-use software. The cost of a simple 3D printer is now down to $500.

Innovative uses for these printers are just starting to take off in the wedding industry. For example, Martha Stewart is now selling a line of downloadable designs of place settings for local printing. I talked with one of her designers who showed me how these individually printed 3D objects could be customized for place settings at a wedding reception.

Another company, Artec 3D, offered 3D scans of a person that can be printed into a surprisingly realistic scale model. Imagine you could “photograph” a couple with a 3D scanner and provide models for the wedding cake or even hand them out as gifts to your couples!

Related Links

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