Long awaited Sony A99 II now official, 4K video and 42.4MP sensor
Sony has finally announced a successor to the A99, more than three years since it released the flagship DSLR.
The Sony A99 II is a powerhouse of an SLR, with a 42.4-megapixel 35mm full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor, hybrid phase detection autofocus system which combines 399 phase detection points on the sensor, paired with 79 phase detection points on a separate sensor that work continuously together., and optical 5-axis in-body image stabilisation.
Its natural ISO range is 100-25,600 but can be expanded to ISO 50 – 102,400.
It is effectively Sony’s push to wrest pro control from Canon and Nikon, with their 5D Mk IV and D810 cameras respectively. It is also capable of recording 4K video in XAVC-S format, which can save footage to card at up to 100Mbps.
- Photokina 2016: All the best new cameras for 2016 from the show
- Sony Alpha A99 review
Video can be shot at frame rates from one to 120fps, including quick and slow motion capture.
There are dual SD card slots, a newly designed grip and a magnesium allow body. It is also 8 per cent smaller than the previous model.
The camera has Bluetooth connectivity to hook it up to a compatible mobile device, with most Android and iOS smartphones and tablets supported.
The Sony A99 II ships in November priced at 3,600 euros. A UK price is yet to follow.
Sony’s A99 II promises fast focus in a full-frame camera
It’s been four years since Sony last introduced a flagship-class full-frame camera, but it’s finally back with more. Sony is launching the A99 II, a 42.4-megapixel pro cam that incorporates many of the upgrades you’ve seen in recent Alpha DSLRs and mirrorless models… and then some. To start, it promises to be an autofocusing champ. This is the first full-frame Alpha to use 4D Focus tech, delivering a hybrid autofocusing system that melds 79 dedicated phase detection points with 399 focal plane phase detection points. Between this and the lack of a moving mirror, Sony is promising “full-time” autofocus that can track fast-moving objects — important when you can shoot up to a brisk 12 frames per second (8FPS in live view).
This is also a big improvement if you like to shoot at night. The A99 II adapts the A7 II’s 5-axis image stabilization to a full-frame body, helping it counter both shifting blur in close-ups and rolling blur in low light. Reportedly, it’s equivalent to a 4.5-step shutter speed advantage. Combine that with a peak ISO 102,400 sensitivity and it may be an easy choice for in-the-dark shooting, although you won’t get the extreme sensitivity options of very high-end DSLRs like the Nikon D5.
You’re getting a newer design, to boot. The magnesium alloy body is about 8 percent smaller than the first A99, and you’ll get both a newer grip, twin SD card slots and seals that make the camera both dust- and water-resistant. The 1,024 x 768 OLED viewfinder should help, too, and you’re getting a redesigned menu that should be easier to use in the midst of a hectic photo shoot.
Other perks? You can finally record 4K video on a full-frame Sony DSLR (without pixel binning, even), and there’s a “Slow and Quick” mode that combines both slow-mo and accelerated video speeds. Pro movie makers may also appreciate better gamma handling (including S-Log2 and S-Log3 gamma for wide dynamic range videos) and a zebra mode that helps with tweaking the exposure.
The A99 II should arrive in November, and it’ll be relatively affordable for the category at $3,199 (€3,600) for the body alone. That’s not trivial, but it’s less than Canon’s EOS 5D Mark IV — and it looks to be more powerful than the two-year-old Nikon D810.
Aaron Souppouris contributed to this report.
Source: Sony, Sony Press Centre
Nikon’s VR-ready camera arrives in October for $499
Earlier this year, at CES 2016, Nikon took camera fans by surprise with its announcement of the KeyMission 360. But, back then, not many details were shared about the newly minted camera. The company only mentioned a few notable features, such as 4K video recording, NFC, WiFi and a waterproof design. Now, we’re learning that the VR-ready shooter comes with two 20-megapixel (1/2.3-inch) sensors, electronic image stabilization, in-camera footage stitching and a swappable battery.
Most importantly, Nikon today announced that the KeyMission 360 is set to arrive in October for $499. That’s a little pricier compared to other similar devices, like Samsung’s $350 Gear 360, but the Nikon camera has much better specs.
What’s more, the manufacturer also revealed the KeyMission 170 and KeyMission 80. The former, as its name suggests, offers a 170-degree field of view with a 12-megapixel, 1/2.3-ich sensor and “Nikon lens quality.” Similar to the 360, the KeyMission 170 shoots 4K and is waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof as well.
Then there’s the KeyMission 80, which is very reminiscent of Cisco’s old line of Flip camcorders. Nikon says the entry-level KeyMission is intended to be a life blogging camera, designed for easy one-handed use. It comes with two cameras, one on the back (12 megapixels, 25mm lens) and another on the front (4.9 megapixels, 22mm lens) — the latter for selfies, of course. The KeyMission 80 doesn’t have 4K capabilities, so you can only record 1080p videos at up to 30 fps.
To bring these all together, Nikon is rolling out a new app for KeyMission cameras. That’ll be a hub to control the cameras remotely, plus transfer pictures and videos from the 360, 170 or 80. The KeyMission 170 and 80 are also hitting stores in October for $399 and $279, respectively.
Airbnb wants to offer travelers more than a place to sleep
Airbnb has been taking tentative steps towards being more than just a vacation rental service — the company has shown some ambitions to plan entire trips for its users. Today, the company acquired Trip4Real, a travel-focused startup from Barcelona that Airbnb had already been partnering with. It’s a move that should help Airbnb expand on its ambitions to offer travelers more and more things to do in their cities of choice. Trip4Real’s business was built on offering activities in cities around the world; the company’s slogan of “experience a city like a local” sounds like the same message Airbnb has been pushing for some time now.
Trip4Real, which had already been partnering with Airbnb, promised “thousands” of experiences that were “made by locals” in a variety of cities around the world as a way of helping travelers find things off the beaten path. And that’s something Airbnb has been keen on offering its users lately — when it launched redesigned apps earlier this year, CEO Brian Chesky said the company wanted to include locally-sourced info about neighborhoods to help travelers avoid cookie-cutter, “drive-by tourism.”
For nearly a year now, Airbnb has shown signs of wanting to use such information to plan entire trips for its users rather than just book them a room or apartment in a city. Last October, the company started testing Journeys, a way to pick a city and let the company book accommodations and pair that with meals, transportation and a local host to show you around town. And just last month, an Airbnb Trips app popped up for Android that served as a detailed local-sourced guidebook to various locations. The app was taken down just a few days later.
Earlier this year, Chesky also teased a big announcement for November that would take the Airbnb experience “beyond the home.” It’s certainly looking like the company will have something to announce later this year about the next evolution of Airbnb, and it’s entirely possible that we’ll see some of what Trip4Real offers in that new experience.
Airbnb offered the following comment on the acquisition: “We are delighted to welcome Trip4Real to the Airbnb family. [Founder and CEO] Gloria Molins and her team share our vision of a different kind of travel experience that is local and authentic. Their experience and expertise is a great complement to our ongoing efforts to transform the way that people travel.”
Via: TechCrunch
Review: NewerTech’s NuPower USB-C Power Adapter Charges MacBook and iPhone
Cables and adapters outfitted with USB-C have been becoming increasingly popular as smartphones and computers alike have adopted the standard, including Apple with its 12-inch Retina MacBook that launched in the spring of 2015. Accessories such as USB drives that make file transfers easier and larger docks have proven for users dealing with Apple’s decision to include just two ports on the MacBook: USB-C and a headphone jack.
NewerTech’s NuPower 60W USB-C Power Adapter is less flashy than some of the new feature-intensive products, but that’s largely a positive. The Power Adapter replaces Apple’s bundled 29W USB-C adapter to charge the MacBook, with the added bonus of a 12W USB-A port to simultaneously charge any traditional USB-powered device — like an iPhone or iPad — from the same adapter.
As a replacement to Apple’s power adapter, NewerTech’s accessory has a slight edge in providing simultaneous charge to a second device, making it a potentially compelling alternative for Retina MacBook owners. The added visual clutter of thicker cables, however, might not be worth the $59.99 price for some people.
Design
The NuPower adapter comes in three pieces: a main body containing the USB-C, USB-A, and power ports, as well as a power cable and a USB-C cable. The main device is 4.2 inches long, 2 inches wide, and about 0.8 inches thick, so it’s not that much of a cumbersome addition to a charging regimen, although obviously more so than Apple’s bundled-in cable. The material on the body of the power adapter has a soft-to-the-touch matte finish that shouldn’t hold fingerprint smudges, and has a nice weight to it (4.8 ounces, according to NewerTech).
Although I didn’t put it under too much of a strenuous test, it feels like it could survive the bumps and bruises of a backpack, bag, or anywhere charging cords usually end up thrown without thought. An understated NewerTech logo resides on the top of the adapter and is the only marking on the top of the device, while on the front the company has made it easy to find the USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports with accompanying text. The bottom of the adapter is a bit of a text dump, with all of the cautions, warnings, and specifications written in bright white text, buffeted in between soft silicone bumpers that help everything stay in place when on a solid surface.
On the cable side of things, NuPower’s power cable is about 8 inches short of Apple’s 6.5 foot USB-C charge cable, providing plenty of clearance room for plugging up your MacBook. More length is added thanks to the 18.5 inch USB-C cable, not to mention the 4.2 inch adapter itself, adding up to a charging solution that’s nearly 8 feet long.
The power cable is one of the more frustrating parts of the NuPower adapter, with its thick, corded material that never really lost the bundled-up curves from the initial packaging it was in. Visually and functionally, it’s just a noticeably non-Apple design, and that could bother people who are willing to spend the money on the Retina MacBook in the first place. The 18.5 inch USB-C cable is a better in this regard, but it is much thicker than Apple’s white USB-C cable.
Charging a MacBook and iPhone
NewerTech’s claim that its adapter can charge “your USB devices up to 2X faster than comparable chargers,” is evident only in computers that can accept the NuPower adapter’s high-powered charging speeds (with voltage up to 20V at 3A). The Retina MacBook isn’t one of those devices, so speedier charging shouldn’t be a purchasing factor for anyone looking at advantages of NewerTech’s adapter.
During my tests, the NuPower adapter fueled my MacBook up from 29 percent to 99 percent in 88 minutes, and my iPhone from 20 percent to 97 percent in just over 100 minutes. On the MacBook side of things, this makes the NuPower adapter essentially in line with the charge time of Apple’s 29W USB-C first-party adapter, and some other third-party options, like Griffin’s BreakSafe USB-C cable.
I only used the NuPower adapter within my house, but its bisected design could go against using it in a travel situation, where simpler options usually take precedent. Otherwise, daily use of the accessory is largely unobtrusive, as any decent cable should be.
One big leg up NuPower has over Apple’s adapter is consistency. As many reviews on Apple’s website confirm (myself included), its USB-C charge cable can have a mind of its own. In my own experience, the worst of this is hearing the cable lose and reconnect power to my MacBook, which subsequently dings in affirmation of a charge source. This is something that’s woken me up in the middle of the night a few times, with no power outage or funky wall adapter excusing the occurrences.
Apple’s charger (left) and NewerTech’s charger (right)
I’ve only had the NuPower adapter for a week, but in that time I haven’t had any similar experiences. Even with the middle brick hanging off of an ottoman or desk, the cables remained plugged and in place. It’s still recommended to have the power brick on a solid surface, however, so keep in mind the 18.5 inch USB-C cable and 4.2 inch long brick that will occupy space on your desk or whatever location you charge up the MacBook. Adding a second device will only add to the visible cable clutter near a MacBook, so anyone who likes to keep a clean desk might find qualms with the NuPower adapter, as well.
Bottom Line
For anyone happy with Apple’s charging system (or who finds it less of a deal-breaker and more of a slight annoyance, like I did), the NuPower USB-C Power Adapter is a bit of a tough sell. The charging is identical, if potentially more reliable, and the addition of USB-A charging might be negligible to anyone with a smartphone or mobile battery pack, or even another nearby wall outlet. In my personal experience, when I’m charging my MacBook, I divert to my iPhone, and vice-versa, so the requirement of charging both at once isn’t really a contingency I need to plan for.
But if you’re frustrated with Apple’s own inconsistent USB-C charging cable and power adapter, NewerTech’s $59.99 option is a valid substitute to charge up your Retina MacBook, especially if you find yourself charging an iPhone or iPad at the same time and have limited wall outlets available. The interconnected cable system may take some getting used to — and those who prefer Apple’s clean white cables will be disappointed by NuPower’s bulky and bendy cords — but otherwise NewerTech has made a device that’s functional and reliable.
Pros
– No cuts or disconnects while charging
– Can charge a second device through USB-A
– Durable power brick
Cons
– With three cables when in full use, it can lead to clutter
– Speedier charging feature is incompatible with Retina MacBook
– Doesn’t carry Apple’s minimalist design
How to Buy
The NuPower 60W USB-C Power Adapter will go on sale in early October on MacSales.com and Amazon for $59.99.
Note: NewerTech provided the NuPower 60W USB-C Power Adapter to MacRumors free of charge for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received.
Related Roundups: iPhone 6s, Retina MacBook
Tag: NuPower
Buyer’s Guide: iPhone (Buy Now), MacBook (Neutral)
Discuss this article in our forums
Panasonic Lumix GH5 announced, 6K photos and 4K video at 60fps
After more than two years without an update, the Panasonic GH-series compact system camera range is about to get a refresh. Panasonic has taken what video-makers love about the GH4 and improved on it with the GH5, which is due to hit the market next year.
For the past few years, the GH4 has been one of the most popular pro-sumer 4K video cameras. That’s partly down to the fact that it was among the first to record 4K video on to an SD card, rather than an external drive. It’s also because – compared to a lot of other similar cameras – it was good value for money.
- Photokina 2016: All the best new cameras for 2016 from the show
- Panasonic Lumix G80 preview: Affordable foray into 4K
- Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 preview: A 4K video feast, the end of the camcorder as we know it?
Digging down in to specs that are available, it seems the GH5 will comfortably take on its predecessors mantle.
Panasonic has announced that its GH5 will record smooth 4K video at 50p/60p, but will also reproduce 4:2:2 10-bit 4K video. That essentially means it’s not quite pro cinema level in terms of colour, depth and detail, but it’s easily high enough quality for TV.
It’s clear then that – as well as getting its high-end YouTube producer types – it wants to sell its Lumix MFT cameras to professional videographers in traditional media.
As well as the high quality 4K video capture, the GH5 features 6K photo, which is an 18-megapixel still image extracted from high quality video. The end result is an image with nine times the detail of full HD. You’ll also be able to extract a 4K photo from videos shot at 60 frames per second.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the GH5. For instance, there’s no word on the design, build or materials, neither is there any detail on the sensor size.
The GH5 will be available to buy at some point in the first half of 2017. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but we’d expect it to cost upward of £1000. The GH4 launched at around £1300 body-only, so it’d make sense for the GH5 to launch at a similar entry point.
What time is the GoPro Karma drone and Hero 5 launch and how can I watch it online?
After many rumours and a long wait, GoPro is finally ready to unleash its first camera-ready drone at a dedicated event near Lake Tahoe in the States.
There have been several videos released showing what the GoPro Karma is capable of, but we’ll see more no doubt when the launch event starts.
In addition, we might even find out more about a much-rumoured GoPro Hero 5 action camera – the latest iteration of its hugely popular range.
So how can you make sure you keep up with the news as it happens? Read on…
What time does the GoPro Karma and Hero 5 launch start?
The GoPro event starts at 9am PT and is expected to last around 45 minutes. That means you’ll be able to tune in at 5pm in the UK and midday on the East Coast of America.
Can I watch the GoPro Karma and Hero 5 launch livestream?
Yes. We will be hosting a livestream of the event from 4pm UK time here on Pocket-lint. The actual event will start at 5pm.
Bookmark this page and come back from 4pm, when the video will be embedded on this page.
We will also be covering all the news as it happens on Pocket-lint, as we are attending the event in Tahoe and will be there to get as much hands-on time with the drone and/or the Hero 5 camera if it launches.
Can I read more about the GoPro Karma drone ahead of the launch?
Yep. Just head to our handy feature here: GoPro Karma drone coming 19 September: Here’s what it can do
It also has some video examples of what the new drone will be capable of.
Canada will impose a carbon price to fight climate change
Canada will impose a minimum price on carbon emissions, says the country’s environment minister Catherine McKenna. The move is designed to push the nation’s 10 provinces into properly regulating climate change-causing gases. Reuters reports that McKenna said so on CTV’s Question Period, and that more details would be released before the end of October.
Most of Canada’s provinces are already working on carbon reduction plans, although there are some that are very resistant to carbon pricing. The newswire points out that Brad Wall, the right-wing premier of Saskatchewan is likely to be the target of McKenna’s announcement. The province’s economy is reliant on carbon-heavy energy businesses, including oil and natural gas, and Wall would likely fight any regulation.
Carbon taxation, or carbon pricing, is a long-overdue system that, as the World Bank explains, will “shift the burden for the damage back to those who are responsible for it.” It’s a way of pricing an externality, which is business-speak for a cost that is incurred for something that you do, but you’re not the one picking up the tab for it. So for example, the owners of a coal-fired power station aren’t paying the cost of climate change: the rest of us are; either through higher insurance premiums, bigger food bills or our own lives.
Source: Reuters
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on Apple’s AirPods
The fact that they look like Q-tips sticking out of your ears is just the beginning: There are other reasons you might want to think twice about buying Apple’s wireless, weird-looking AirPods. For the money — $159 — these earbuds offer audio quality that isn’t any better than what you’d get with the iPhone’s pack-in EarPods. We’d also like it if Apple allowed more flexibility with the controls. Right now, for instance, you need to use Siri or take out your phone if you want to do basic things like change tracks or adjust the volume. On the plus side, the earbuds are dead-simple to set up, and work well for voice calls and Siri requests, even if they’re nothing special for music playback. Unless you’re an early adopter, you’re better off waiting for Apple to release a next-gen version and/or drop the price.
Xiaomi’s mirrorless camera gives you Leica looks for $330
Xiaomi’s camera ambitions go beyond action cams. It’s introducing the Xiaoyi M1, a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that promises solid performance (not to mention some familiar looks) for the money. This isn’t the most advanced camera between its 20-megapixel sensor, a maximum ISO 25,600 sensitivity, and the absence of either a built-in flash or an electronic viewfinder. However, it also starts at the equivalent of $330/£253 bundled with a 12-40mm f/3.5-5.6 lens ($450/£345 with a 42.5mm f/1.8 lens), and bears more than a passing resemblance to modern Leica cameras — it’s a relatively accessible and stylish entryway into the world of interchangeable-lens photography.
And it’s not as if the M1 doesn’t have a couple of tricks up its sleeve. You can effectively shoot 50-megapixel photos, and record 4K video at 30 frames per second. There’s also a 3-inch, 720 x 480 touchscreen to give you “phone-like” control, while Bluetooth and WiFi will help you share your photographic output with your smartphone.
The camera will sell through China’s JD.com on September 23rd. There’s no mention of an international release, although it won’t be surprising if online retailers are willing to import it. Just don’t expect to get quite as big a bargain by the time it reaches your door.
Via: Engadget Chinese (translated)
Source: Xiaoyi
AIVAnet 