Sony has recently announced a new entry-level DSLR camera that promises fast focusing speeds thanks to what it calls 4D focusing technology.

The new Sony A68 sports a 24MP APS-C sensor that can go with lens from the company A-mount line. The camera’s sensor has 79 autofocus points which when combined with its translucent mirror provides continuous autofocus tracking at up to 8fps.

Sony has installed a 2.7-inch TFT LCD screen that tilts 135 degrees upwards and 55 degrees down. The camera also has an ISO range that goes up to 25600 and supports video recording up to 1080p.

The Sony A68 will be available Q1 2016 with a price tag of $650 for the body only. 

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Canon has just unveiled a new type of camera that can potentially bring photography to new heights. The company’s new ME-20F-SH is a full-frame camera with a sensor whose pixels are arranged over a 19µm square giving the camera superb performance in low-light conditions.

To be more precise, the camera’s ISO range tops at 4,000,000. Yep, you read it right, six zeros, which is exceptionally higher even compared to high-end models currently in the market. This means that the ME-20F-SH will be capable of capturing images and videos even in conditions with only 0.005 lux of brightness (that’s like shooting on a clear night with no moon).

Design-wise, the camera looks pretty unconventional in contrast to typical DSLR and compact system cameras in the market. The ME-20F-SH look boxy though it contains an impressive slew of features and ports including HDMI, a 2.5mm stereo mini-jack and a round 8-pin RS-422 jack.

Luckily, the camera works well with Canon’s SLR and EOS lines, which further extends the night-time performance of the camera by coupling the device with different types of lenses. Canon is saying the camera is a multi-purpose one but it will likely be used in certain niches like night-time surveillance and wildlife photography among others.

The Canon ME-20F-SH will be available starting this December for a cool $30,000.

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If you’re a photographer who occasionally takes videos on a DSLR, then Canon’s new XC10 will definitely make you smile. The device offers users with a compromise between the recording prowess of a proper camcorder and the familiar form and handling of a traditional DSLR camera.

The XC10 packs a 1-inch CMOS sensor that is capable of capturing 12MP 4K video and 12MP still photos. It is complimented by a Canon DIGIC DV5 processor, a 27.3 to 272mm 10x optical zoom lens. The optics allow the XC10 to record 3840 x 2610 4K video and store them in different storage cards.

The camera’s ISO can be cranked up 20,000. There’s also a 12-stop Wide dynamic Range and a variable-angle LCD with 100% field of coverage. The XC10 can also record at different speeds. More specifically it can record at 1200x fast-motion speed with support for 4K or 1/4x slow-motion recording with HD support.

The camera will be available starting June for $2,500.

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Nikon’s full-frame DSLR model – the D810 is getting a nerdy brother in the form of the D810A, which targets astronomy photographers.

At the core, the D810A features a full-frame 36.1MP sensor with an electronic front curtain shutter mode and a moisture-sealed magnesium alloy body. What sets it apart from the D810 is the specialized features designed for star-gazing.

For starters, the camera has a modified IR filter that helps it capture nebulae and constellations better. It can also give users an estimated preview of long exposure shots by electronically brightening the display in live view mode. Furthermore, the D810A offers a customized ISO range of 200-12800 that is adapted to telescope shooting and goes well with the manual bulb mode used in shooting light trails.

Nikon will also include an astro noise reduction filter in its Capture NX-D software, which will be available once the camera goes on sale in May. There’s no word on pricing yet but the D810 is priced north of $3200 so we should expect that the D810A to lay within the same price range.

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Canon is starting 2015 with some major announcements for its PowerShot and EOS lines, including two new point-and-shoot units and three new DSLR models.
CANON REBEL T6s and T6i 
Leading the announcement is the Canon Rebel T6 and T6i. Both DSLR models feature a 24.2MP sensors complimented by DIGIC6 image processors. 

The camera will also have a 5 fps continuous shooting mode and a maximum ISO of 25600 and a LCD panel at the top that shows users basic configuration such as ISO and exposure compensation. Other notable features of the camera include Wi-Fi, high dynamic range movie recording and servo autofocus for shooting in burst mode. 
Moreover, both models have autofocusing embedded in the pixels and color tone detection. Both models will be available starting April, with the Rebel T6i to sell for $750 for the body only ($900 with a standard 18-55mm kit lens and $1100 for the 18-135mm lens) while the T6s will go out for $850 for the body only.   CANON 5Ds and 5Ds R 
Another exciting announcement this week was the company’s newest flagship DSLR cameras – the Canon 5Ds and 5Ds R. Both models are sporting a 50.6MP full-frame sensor that’s complimented by a Dual DIGIC 6 image processor.
There’s also a 3.2-inch fixed LCD at the back of the device, a 61-point autofocus system, an overhauled body to minimize shake and improve stability, built-in time lapse feature and a view finder that can cover nearly 100 percent of the field of view. 

The cameras can record 1080p videos at 24,25 and 30fps. It also has a USB 3.0 port as well as support for CF and SD cards. Native ISO on both cameras maxes out at 6400. 
The difference between the two models is that the 5Ds R does away with a low-pass filter effect and creates a cancellation effect designed to reduce blur from images and make them sharper. 
Both models will be available starting in June with the Canon 5Ds to be priced at $3700 (body only) while the 5Ds R to be sold at $3900. Canon is also making available a new lens to go with the 5Ds and 5Ds R – the 11-24mm f/4L USM ultra wide-angle, aspherical lens which will cost $3000 once it launches towards the end of this month. 
CANON EOS M3 
Of course the party wouldn’t be complete without a mirrorless camera model. And finally, Canon is ready to up its game in this segment of the market with the new EOS M3. The new model offers a 24MP APS-C sensor with a DIGIC 6 image processor that should deliver premium quality image and video. 

It has a fast autofocus system with 49 focus points, an ISO range of 100-25600 and a 3-inch articulating LCD panel for selfie fans. And unlike previous EOS M models, the new M3 comes with a built-in pop-up flash. This allows the hot shoe to be used with an optional electronic viewfinder. The new M3 is also capable of recording 1080p videos at 30fps and comes with built-in Wi-Fi.
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Nikon and Canon have a long-standing rivalry in the professional camera scene. And this week, the two square off once more as both have unveiled their newest DSLR camera models.
On the red corner, there’s the new Nikon D750. The camera features a 24MP FX-format CMOS sensor coupled with an Expeed 4 image processor. It has an ISO range of 100-12800 and is expandable up to 50-51200, and a shutter speed range of 30-1/4000s as well as a continuous shooting speed of 6.5 shots per second.

Focusing prowess is brought by a 51-point AF system with 15 cross-type sensors. The D750 is capable of recording Full HD video at 60p, 30p and 24p. Nikon has also made the camera really flexible to the needs of photographers with full manual controls, including aperture adjustment and shutter speed/ISO adjustments.

Moreover, a number of intelligent features have been incorporated into the device including a Highlight Weighted Metering feature that prevents blown-out highlights in bright light conditions and a Clarity and Flat Advanced Picture Control settings that instructs the camera to emphasize intense image details and broad tonal range.
At the back of the device is a 3.2-inch display that can be tilted up or down. There’s also Wi-Fi that will let any smartphone connect to the camera and act as a remote shutter. Other notable features of the D750 include dual SD memory card slots, a pop-up flash, a 100% viewfinder coverage, a shutter lifetime of 150,000 shots, simultaneous HDMI output and a built-in intervalometer.
The Nikon D750 will start shipping before the end of the month with a price tag of $2300 that comes with a Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 VR lens.
Meanwhile, on the blue corner, there’s the recently announced Canon 7D Mark II. The camera features a Dual Pixel AF and an AF system that features 65 cross-type points. Performance is driven by a 20.2MP APS-C sensor coupled with its dual Digic  6 image processors.

The camera is capable of recording Full HD video at 60fps in either MP4 or MOV formats. ISO range is at 100-16000 and can be expanded up to 51200. Other notable features of the 7D is a 1.04M-dot 3-inch LCD screen, a 150k pixel RGB+IR 252-one metering sensor, a built-in intervalometer, built-in GPS and a longer-lasting battery.
Unfortunately, unlike the Nikon D750, the 7D Mark II doesn’t have Wi-Fi connectivity. The camera will hit stores by November for $2150 with an EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.
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The complex nature of DSLR cameras is usually one of the reasons why consumers shy away from considering a camera upgrade. For a lot of people, fiddling with the various knobs, switches and buttons is quite a chore and there are not a lot of camera manufacturers who’s trying to make a difference.
Luckily, there are a few who try to make things easier for budding photographers. Take for example Ricoh Imaging with its Pentax K-S1. 

In the design department, the K-S1 looks like any other camera in the company’s range. But all that changes when you turn on the device. The camera features several LEDs in its body that light up whenever a certain function is in use. For example, the lights emit a green light when you’re taking photos while a red light signifies the camera’s use in video mode.
Specs-wise, the KS-1 boasts a 20MP sensor, an ISO range of 100-51200, a 3-inch 921k-dot LCD, a back-lit selection dial with four-way buttons, a sensor-shift SR with rotational compensation, a shutter speed of 1/6000, a 100 percent field of view glass pentaprism viewfinder and an anti-aliasing filter simulator.

Ricoh will offer the K-S1 starting this September for around $800 with an 18-55mm kit lens in different color options including white, black, blue, tweed gray, linen brown, denim blue, cotton beige, sunset orange, dusk gold, moon silver, midnight black and dawn purple.

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