Nikon 1 Compact Mirrorless Camera System

With the announcement of the Nikon 1 mirrorless camera system, the longest running rumor in the camera industry has been put to rest. Speculation about a Nikon EVIL camera (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) started even before Panasonic and Olympus announced their Micro Four Thirds system partnership in 2008. To start, there will be two Nikon 1 system cameras, the J1 and the V1. Performance-wise the Nikon J1 and V1 measure up well against their mirrorless / compact system camera competitors. Nikon claims their new “advanced hybrid autofocus system” is the fastest in the world and the cameras are capable of continuous auto focus shooting at 10 frames-per-second as well as the world’s fastest full-resolution shooting speed – 60 FPS with the focus locked. No camera is complete without HD video now so both the Nikon J1 and V1 can capture full HD video. The most interesting thing about the Nikon 1 cameras, however, is Nikon’s decision to use a 2.7x crop factor “CX” format sensor, smaller than all of the competition except for the Pentax Q, which uses a point-and-shoot sensor.

“This Nikon 1 system represents a new category of camera that challenges conventional thinking, emphasizing a pocketable form factor with unbelievable speed, combined with the high image quality that only Nikon could create.”

Nikon 1 System Key Features and Specs:

• 10.1 megapixel High-Speed AF CX-format CMOS sensor
• New Expeed 3 image processing
• 1080p full HD video with 30/60/400 and 1200 FPS options and built-in stereo sound
• New hybrid auto focus (phase detect + contrast detect) is world’s fastest
• New Nikon 1 lens mount
• 3-inch LCD display (460k-dot for J1 / 921k-dot for V1)
• 1.4 million dot high resolution EVF (V1)
• ISO 100-3200 expandable to ISO 6400 (Hi-1)
• Pop-up flash (J1)
• Accessory shoe (V1)
• 10 FPS continuous AF burst and 60 FPS with focus locked
• JPEG, NEF RAW, NEF RAW + JPEG
• Simultaneous still and video capture
• New Motion Snapshot mode
• Smart Photo Selector mode

Pentax announces Optio RZ18 compact ultra zoom

Pentax has announced their new Optio RZ18, a compact camera with a big 18X zoom lens. Here are the details:
Optio RZ18 [specs]

• 16 Megapixel CCD
• F3.5-5.9, 18X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 25 - 450 mm; this appears to be the same lens used by the Nikon Coolpix S9100
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• Compact body comes in black, white, and orange
• 3-inch LCD display with 460,000 pixels
• Point-and-shoot operation, with auto scene selection
• Lots of special effects and digital filters available
• Records HD video at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound
• 96MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC/SDXC slot
• Uses D-LI92 lithium-ion battery; battery life numbers unavailable
• Optional wireless remote
• Ships next month for $299

Panasonic, Olympus release firmware updates

Panasonic has released firmware for seven of their Micro Four Thirds lenses that magically turn them into "HD" lenses. That means you get quiet, continuous AF -- perfect for movie recording. The quality of the image stabilization for video recording has also been improved. The lenses included in this update include the 8mm fisheye, 14mm pancake, and the 7-14, 14-42, 14-45, 45-200, and 100-300 mm zooms. The updates and instructions can be found here.
In other news, Olympus has updated the firmware for the E-5 pro D-SLR to version 1.2. This update ensures that the rotation of the dial on the optional battery grip matches the movement direction of the AF target. You can use the included Olympus software to update your camera, or download Olympus Digital Camera Updater.

Ricoh announces GR Digital IV, updates firmware on GRD III

Ricoh has announced their new GR Digital IV compact camera, as well as a firmware update to its predecessor, the GRD III. First, the details on the new camera:
GR Digital IV [specs]

• 10.0 Megapixel, 1/1.7" CCD
• GR Engine IV image processor promises better color performance and less color noise at high ISOs
• F1.9, 6 mm GR lens, equivalent to 28 mm
• Sensor-shift image stabilization (new to the GR series)
• Hybrid AF system combines standard contrast detection with a dedicated 190-point external AF sensor
• 3-inch LCD display with a whopping 1.23 million pixels
• Full manual controls, with RAW support
• Hot shoe for external flash
• Electronic level now works for tilt and pitch
• Plenty of special effects
• VGA movie recording (seriously?)
• Optional optical viewfinder (two of them, in fact) and remote shutter release
• 40MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
• HDMI output
• Uses DB-65 lithium-ion battery, 390 shots per charge; can also use two AAA batteries, but they won't last long
• Available in black and limited edition white
• Ships in October for $599 (black) and $649 (white)

In addition to the new camera, Ricoh has also announced a firmware update (version 5) for the GR Digital III, which was introduced two years ago. Changes include:

• Addition of contrast bracketing
• More functions can be assigned to the ADJ control
• New ISO [Auto-Hi] option
• Addition of vignetting option for high contrast B&W mode
• Support for new GL-1 metal lens cap, which prevents lens from extending while the cap is on

The update doesn't seem to be available yet, but I'd keep on eye on this page if you own the GRD III.

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS super zoom

So that was the small PowerShot -- now it's time for the big one. The PowerShot SX40 HS has the same gigantic 35X zoom lens as its predecessor, but switches over to CMOS to allow for Full HD video shooting. Here's more:
PowerShot SX40 HS [specs]

• 12.1 Megapixel, 1/2.3" "high sensitivity" CMOS sensor (different than the S100's)
• DIGIC 5 image processor
• F2.7-5.8, 35X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 24 - 840 mm
• Optical image stabilization, with same Intelligent IS function as the S100
• Flip-out, rotating 2.7" LCD display with 230,000 pixels + electronic viewfinder with 202,000 pixels
• Full manual controls, though no RAW support
• Smart Auto mode picks one of 32 scene modes for you
• Plenty of special effects
• Can take eight shots in a row at 10.3 frames/sec in High-Speed Burst HQ mode; shoots at 2.4 fps in other modes
• Zoom Framing Assist button zooms out momentarily so you can recompose, and then zooms back in when you release it
• Records Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 (24 fps) with stereo sound and use of the optical zoom
• SD/SDHC/SDXC slot (no internal memory)
• HDMI output
• Uses NB-10L lithium-ion battery, 380 shots per charge with LCD
• Shipping later this month for $429

Canon PowerShot S100 premium compact introduced

Canon has announced a pair of new cameras, with the first being the PowerShot S100. This is the replacement to the S95, a high-end compact camera that is one of my favorites. What's funny is that this isn't the first PowerShot S100 Canon has sold -- there was a Digital ELPH with the same name way back in the year 2000. Anyhow, here are the details:
PowerShot S100 [specs]

• 12.1 Megapixel , 1/1.7" "high sensitivity" CMOS sensor
• New DIGIC 5 image processor improves noise reduction and white balance
• F2.0-5.9, 5X optical zoom, equivalent to 24 - 120 mm (wish it was a bit faster at the tele end!)
• Optical image stabilization; new Intelligent IS function picks the right type of stabilization (panning, macro, dynamic, tripod, etc.) based on the scene
• Ultra-compact body, comes in black and silver
• 3-inch LCD display with 461,000 pixels
• Built-in GPS with logger function
• Full manual controls, with RAW support
• Customizable ring around lens (same as S90/S95)
• Smart Auto mode selects a scene mode for you
• Takes up to eight full resolution photos in a row at 9.6 fps in High-Speed Burst HQ mode; can shoot nonstop at 2.3 fps in other modes
• Plenty of special effects, plus an HDR mode
• Records Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 (24 fps) with stereo sound and use of the optical zoom
• SD/SDHC/SDXC slot (no internal memory)
• HDMI output
• Uses NB-5L lithium-ion battery, 200 shots per charge
• Ships in early November for $429

Nikon introduces Nikon 1 interchangeable lens camera system

Nikon has introduced their new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system, known as the "1". There will be two models initially: the J1 and the more advanced V1. These cameras use a new 10 Megapixel high speed CMOS sensor, a CX lens mount with a 2.7X crop factor, and an easy-to-use interface. I've had a chance to get my hands on them early and will have product shots and more shortly. I'm also taking a production model home with me so I will have sample photos ASAP.
Nikon 1 J1 [specs]

• 10.1 Megapixel high speed AF CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm, which makes it smaller than Micro Four Thirds but larger than what's on the Pentax Q)
• Uses new Nikon CX-mount lenses with a 2.7X crop factor; image stabilization will be on the lens, if available
  • Optional F-mount adapter, with AF support on AF-I or AF-S lens
• Dual-core Expeed 3 image processor
• Compact composite over aluminum body, comes in black, silver, white, pink, and red
• 3-inch LCD display with 461,000 pixels
• 73-point, hybrid AF system (billed as world's fastest) switches between contrast and phase detection (the latter being built into the sensor) when needed
• Full manual controls, including RAW (NEF) support; since there's no mode dial, you must dive into the menu system to change manual shooting modes
  • ISO range of 100 - 3200, expandable to 100 - 6400
  • Uses electronic shutter, with a range of 30 - 1/16000 sec
• Available Scene Auto Selector mode
• Continuous shooting as fast as 10 frames/second, with continuous AF; shoots at 60 fps when AF is locked on first exposure
• Built-in flash (GN 5 at ISO 100)
• Smart Photo Selector mode takes 20 photos at 30 fps, looks negative factors and discards those photos, then looks at positive factors and saves the best five photos
• Motion Snapshot wraps 2.5 seconds of video around your still image
• Records Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 at 60i (sensor output is 30p) with stereo sound using H.264 codec for up to 29 minutes
  • Also supports slow motion movie recording at 30, 60, 400, and 1200 fps
• SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
• HDMI output
• Uses EN-EL20 lithium-ion battery, 230 shots per charge
• Ships next month in three kits: with the 10 - 30 mm zoom for $649, with the 10 mm pancake and 10 - 30 mm zoom for $899, or get it with the 10 - 30 and 30 - 110 mm zooms for $899.

Nikon 1 V1 [specs] - changes:

• Magnesium-alloy body
• LCD has 921,000 pixels
• Built-in electronic viewfinder with 1.44 million dots
• Mechanical shutter in addition to the electronic one; shutter speed range is 30 - /14000 sec with the mechanical one
• No built-in flash, but offers an Accessory Port which can take an optional external flash or GPS (both $149)
• Stereo microphone input
• Uses EN-EL15 li-ion battery, 400 shots per charge without a flash and 350 shots with the optional SB-N5 flash (the only one the camera can use at this point)
• Priced at $899

So how about the new lenses and accessories? Here they are, in brief:

• F2.8, 10 mm (27 mm equiv) pancake lens, $249
• F3.5-5.6, 10 - 30 mm (27 - 81 mm equiv) zoom lens with Vibration Reduction II image stabilization (kit lens only)
• F3.8-5.6, 30 - 110 mm (81 - 297 mm equiv) lens with VR II, $249
• F4.5-5.6, 10 - 100 mm (27 - 270 mm equiv) power zoom lens with VR II, $749
• SB-N5 Speedlight -- only for the V1 -- $149
• GP-N100 GPS -- also only for the V1 -- $149