Newly launched from Sony is the SDMicro Vault MACH — the first family of flash memory drives from Sony with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology.

Available in capacities from 8GB up to 64GB, Micro Vault MACH offers data speeds up to 120 MB/s (read) and 90 MB/s (write) – ideal for consumers and business users who need the convenience and reliability of ultra-fast on-the-go data transfers.

The thumb drive’s aluminium body is built to withstand day-to-day knocks, while its retractable USB connector’s click mechanism offers extra protection. It’s also backward-compatible with USB 2.0, so if your PC (or any device) doesn’t support 3.0, you’re still good to go.

The Micro Vault MACH is available now.

>>Read the Press Release.

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With the largest image sensor to date for a Canon PowerShot model, Canon’s announcement of the new PowerShot G1 X has enthusiasts itching to get their hands on one.

The camera packs a large 1.5-inch (18.7 x 14mm), 14.3-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor, delivering exceptional shallow depth of field, a wide dynamic range and incredible light gathering ability up to ISO 12800. The camera is also equipped with an amazing 4x Optical Zoom lens, featuring a 28mm-equivalent wide-angle setting, with an incredible f/2.8 to f/16 aperture range for beautiful images that make an impact. The PowerShot G1 X shoots 1080p Full HD video with optical zooming and continuous AF, includes HDR Shooting and comes fully equipped with Canon’s latest DIGIC 5 processor that enables the High-Speed Burst HQ feature.

Key Features:

• A newly developed Canon 1.5-inch, 14.3 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with the DIGIC 5 Image Processor creates Canon’s HS SYSTEM for outstanding low-light performance up to ISO 12800.

• Full range of shooting and recording modes including 14-bit RAW + JPEG, as found in Canon DSLR cameras for the ultimate creative control.

• Shoot beautiful 1080p Full HD video in stereo sound with a dedicated movie button; zoom while shooting and play back videos on an HDTV via the HDMI output.

• 4x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, plus a 28mm Wide-Angle Lens delivers exceptional image quality and allows you to capture more in your frame.

• Intelligent IS automatically chooses from six different modes to optimize image stabilization for the shooting condition.

• Bright 3.0-inch Vari-Angle PureColour System LCD with 922,000 dots for shooting at a variety of angles plus an optical viewfinder.

• High-Speed Burst HQ allows for continuous capture at a maximum of 6 frames while maintaining superb image.

• Compatible with Canon Speedlite flashes for additional creative lighting options.

• Mode Dial and Front Dial provide intuitive manual adjustment.

• High Dynamic Range scene mode combines multiple shots into one picture showing greater image detail

Available: February 2012; MSRP: $799.99

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Fuji announced today the latest addition to its X-Series of cameras, the X-PRO1 – a 16mp mirrorless compact camera with an interchangeable lens mount^.

The X-Pro1 features a custom APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor, capable of delivering resolution superior to that delivered by other APS-C sensors (and on par with film), along with a Hybrid Multi Viewfinder.

Key Features:

• 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor
• 3″ LCD
• Hybrid Multi Viewfinder
• ISO 200-6400 (expands to 25600)
• Shoots to SD
• 6FPS burst mode
• 1080p H264 video with stereo sound (and 720p, both at 24FPS)
• Film simulation mode with several classic film types

The retro-look body is being launched with three prime interchangeable FUJINON lenses: the XF18mm F2 R (27mm equivalent) f/2.0, XF 35mm F1.4 R (53mm equivalent) f/1.4, and XF60mm F2.4 R Macro (90mm equivalent) F/2.4.

Fujifilm will be releasing several more XF FUJINON fast aperture lenses (details will be coming later this year), including a telephoto lens.

>> Read the Press Release

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It’s official! The Nikon D4 has been announced and will be available for purchase at the end of February.

Serving as the new flagship model in Nikon’s lineup of digital-SLRs, the D4 offers better video capabilities, higher resolution (16.2mp full frame sensor) and faster and more accurate AF with 51 focus points.

The D4 is equipped with a new Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor (imaging size of 36.0 x 23.9 mm) and EXPEED 3, the latest image-processing engine specifically optimized for digital-SLR cameras, making it the next-generation flagship Nikon digital-SLR camera with the ultimate in versatility and functionality that offers superior image quality rich in detail along with excellent high-speed performance. It has an effective pixel count of 16.2-million pixels, and offers superior image quality under a broad range of lighting conditions with its image sensor supporting an incredible range of sensitivities from ISO 50 to ISO 204800.

The new 91K-pixel (approximately 91,000 pixels) RGB sensor supports the Advanced Scene Recognition System, which is able to recognize human faces even when images are framed using the optical viewfinder. In addition, the Advanced Scene Recognition System offers significant improvements in AF, AE, i-TTL flash control, and auto white balance (AWB) control accuracy. The 51 focus point AF system has been improved with faster initiation of autofocusing and the ability to detect and focus on subjects with less lighting. In addition, 11 focus points are fully functional when lenses with a maximum aperture of f/8 are used. All of this means more precise autofocusing when super-telephoto NIKKOR lenses are used with teleconverters (2.0x). The Multi-area Mode Full HD D-movie movie recording function is capable of recording full-HD movies at 30 fps, and offers three movie recording formats for selection according to recording conditions or creative intent. The D4 also becomes the first camera to make use of the XQD memory card format.

If you happen to be in Las Vegas January 10 through 13, you can get a sneak peek at the D4 – Nikon will be exhibiting it (booth #11039) at 2012 International CES.

>> Read the full press release.
>> Read the Nikon D4 brochure.

Features:

• Extremely durable shutter that has passed testing for 400,000 cycles
• Magnesium alloy adopted for the very strong, durably body that is very resistant to dust and water
• Effective sealing using O rings and packing make the camera more resistant to dust and water
• Silent shutter-release mode for live view photography that almost completely eliminates the sounds of the mirror and shutter operation
• A time-lapse photography feature, with which the camera automatically takes photos at selected intervals to record a time-lapse movie, which can be played back at 24–36,000x normal playback speed
• Operation optimized for both horizontal (landscape) and vertical (portrait) shooting
• Button backlights (illuminators) for increased visibility when working in dimly lit or dark situations
• High-performance viewfinder, utilizing a glass pentaprism, with a frame coverage of approximately 100% (FX format) and magnification of approximately 0.7x
• Four image area options for still shooting—FX (36 x 24), 5:4 (30 x 24), 1.2x (30 x 20), DX (24 x 16)—with viewfinder indicator that identifies the current image area
• A 3.2-inch, approximately 921k-dot LCD monitor with reinforced glass and wide viewing angle; integration of the glass and panel reduce internal reflections
• A virtual horizon that shows the degree to which the camera is tilted sideways (roll), forward or backward (pitch) with display in the monitor and viewfinder
• White balance that can be adjusted in units of 10 K; white balance can be specified separately for shooting (white balance applied to images) and monitor display with still-image shooting in live view mode

Available: late February 2012; MSRP: $5999.95

AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G

Also announced today, is the release of the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G – a fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a focal length of 85 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 compatible with the Nikon FX-format.

Key Features:

• An all new optical design that enables maximum utilization of digital-SLR camera capabilities in shooting high quality images
• Enables shooting of portraits with pleasing background blur characteristics only possible with a fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens
• Very lightweight at approximately 350 g, even with the large aperture
• Equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing. Autofocus shooting is also possible when the lens is used with entry-level Nikon DX-format digital-SLR cameras such as the D5100 and D3100, which are not equipped with an autofocus drive motor.
• Equipped with two focus modes, M/A (autofocus with manual override) and M (manual)

Available: March 2012; MSRP: $499.95

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Ready to move on from your point-and-shoot but not sure you’re ready to move to the realm of the DSLR just yet?

The folks at Gizmodo might be able to help you out. They’ve run down their four favourite pro compacts to help simplify your next move. Not only are these tremendous cameras, but they’re affordable and easy to keep on you for those spur-of-the-moment captures.

Check out how the Nikon J1, Olympus E-PM1, Panasonic Lumix GF3 and Sony NEX-C3 fare against one another – read the full article HERE.

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For those of you with low budgets and high aspirations, you’re going to LOVE this! Instead of MacGyver-ing your own no-cost dolly by borrowing your kid sister’s roller skates and risking serious equipment damage, you can now own your very own extremely affordable camera dolly.

Check out the Pico Flex Dolly:

And there’s no need to worry about whether or not the dolly will support the weight of your tricked-out DSLR, since it supports most standard video fluid heads or photography ball heads – how handy is that? Just use the one that’s best suited to your gear, and you’re good to go.
 

 
The beauty of the Pico Flex Dolly isn’t solely it’s price either. Check out these fab DIY ideas:
 

 

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Just in time for the holidays, Nikon announced today the launch of the SB-910 – its latest flagship flashgun in the Speedlight family!

Replacing the SB-900, this newest model Speedlight features a number of improvements over its predecessor, including smoother operation, greater illumination precision, and the adoption of hard color filters.

Key Features

• Fully compatible with Nikon Creative Lighting System
• Three illumination patterns (standard/even/center-weighted), with increased light distribution accuracy, are available to match every shooting environment
• Automatically detects Nikon FX and Nikon DX formats and selects suitable light distribution angles
• Power zoom function covers wide 17-200 mm (in FX format) or 12-200 mm (in DX format) zoom ranges
• AF-assist illumination, compatible with multi-point AF system, covers wide 17-135 mm focal length range
• New MENU button enables quick access to custom settings, while improved LCD panel GUI (graphical user interface) enhances operability
• Durable and heat-resistant, easy-to-use, hard-type color filters (fluorescent or incandescent) included
• Automatically detects color filter types and transmits filter information to camera for optimum white balance setting
• Guide number: 34/111.5 (m/ft.) at 35 mm and 53/173.9 (m/ft.) at 200 mm (FX-format, standard illumination pattern, ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
• Minimum recycling time: approx. 2.3 seconds with Ni-MH batteries
• Automatically detects increases in flash head temperature and controls recycling time accordingly, thus preventing overheating
• Firmware updates via Nikon digital SLR cameras
• Compatible with High-Performance Battery Pack SD-9 and Power Bracket Unit SK-6/6A
• Optional Water Guards WG-AS1 (for D3 series), WG-AS2 (for D300 series) and WG-AS3 (for D700) protect camera accessory shoe contact when SB-910 is mounted on Nikon digital SLR cameras

Available mid-December; MSRP: $549.95

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Wish your camera had one of those awesome tiltable, multi-angled LCD monitors but you’re not ready to upgrade just yet? Check this out!

Swivi is a fab new bit of gear that, basically, adds a big, 5.6″ swivel HDMI LCD to any camera.  Using your existing camera tripod mount, it mounts directly to your camera and offers a high def, live view through your camera’s HDMI output. It also provides Peaking Focus, Zoom In & Out functions and built-in stereo speakers.

Photographers and videographers will love being able to view & replay video on a larger size LCD screen; it’ll certainly allow for more accuracy when it comes to framing & focusing. And the swivel function gives you tons of flexibility for capturing low angle shots and creative composition.

Specifications:

• 5.6″ LCD
• HDMI In/Out
• 4:3 screen ratio
• 800×600 resolution
• 500:1 contrast ratio
• Powered by LP-R6 (Canon battery) or 6 AAA batteries
• Remote control included

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Nikon Canada’s National Product Trainer, Chris Ogonek, recently took time out to chat with Vistek’s Pro Products Manager, Gary Goldberg about the new Nikon V1 and J1 cameras. Check out these videos and get the inside scoop!

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More from Panasonic yesterday, when they announced the unveiling of its new all-in-one 3D-capable point-and-shoot camera – the Lumix DMC-3D1.

With a twin-lens design, the 3D1 features 25mm ultra-wide angle lenses with 4x optical zoom that offer the outstanding capability to record high resolution 8-megapixel 3D photo and 1920×1080 60i high quality 3D HD video using side-by-side method.  The LUMIX 3D1’s optics give users a wider range of composition possibilities with approximately 169% larger viewing space compared to that of 35mm cameras.

Key Features:

• 12.1 mp High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
• 3D Video and Photo Capture
• LUMIX DC Vario Lenses
• 25mm Ultra Wide Angle
• 4x optical Zoom
• 5x Intelligent Zoom
• Sonic Speed AF
• 3.5″ Touch Screen
• iA mode
• MEGA OIS
• Full HD video capture
• Venus Engine

Available: December 2011; MSRP: $499.99

>> Read the full press release.

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