Today Sony announced the new RX100VII. Expect two more new cameras to be announced within the next 5-6 weeks!

Preorders:
Sony RX100VII in the USA at BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, BuyDig and Amazon.
Sony RX100VII in EU at ParkcamerasUK, WexUK.

Reviews and hands-on:
Review in progress at Dpreview. Sample gallery at Dpreview. Preview at ePhotozine. Preview at CameraLabs. Hands-on at Photographyblog. Image samples at Sony.net. Review at ParkCameras. Toma de contacto at Photolari.
Product page at Sony.net.

Key specs:

Videos:

Press text:

SAN DIEGO — July 25, 2019 — Sony Electronics today announced a new addition to its award-winning series of RX compact cameras: the RX100 VII (model DSC-RX100M7). Utilizing technologies that were previously available only in Sony’s acclaimed Alpha 9 full-frame mirrorless camera, the RX100 VII achieves new levels of performance in a compact camera, in both stills and movie shooting.

The RX100 VII is powered by a newly developed 1.0-type stacked 20.1 MP Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and the latest generation BIONZ X image processor, which work together to deliver peak autofocus and speed performance that has never before been available in a compact camera. Flexibility of shooting is ensured by a ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm(8) F2.8-4.5 high magnification zoom lens, making the RX100 VII a versatile choice for all types of shooting scenarios and users, ranging from photo enthusiasts to professionals.

“The RX100 VII sets a new standard for performance in compact cameras,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions at Sony Electronics. “Sony will continue to drive innovation in the world of imaging, constantly pushing to empower creators with the most capable tools that allow them to realize their vision, and create like they have never been able to before.”

New Standard for AF Performance in a Compact Camera

The RX100 VII offers a world-leading(5) 357 focal-plane phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points. In addition, thanks to a newly optimized lens drive control, the world’s fastest(5) 0.02 sec(6) AF acquisition time is realized. A major leap in AF/AE tracking performance during continuous shooting(13) means the camera performs AF/AE calculations up to 60 times per second(2) and captures fast moving action at 20fps(3) with AF/AE tracking, ensuring that each moment is shot with swift and accurate focus.

In addition, the image sensor realizes blackout-free shooting(4) for a completely live view, even when continuous shooting at 20fps(3); the same experience as the Alpha 9. The RX100 VII also debuts a new drive mode, Single Burst Shooting(9), for capturing the perfect high-speed shot at up to 90fps(10) in JPEG/RAW format utilizing the anti-distortion shutter. Single Burst Shooting(9) allows the photographer to frame fast moving action and shoot as if taking a single shot, but the camera will actually deliver seven still images taken at 90fps, 60fps or 30fps, so the user can select the perfect moment.

For the first time in a compact camera, the RX100 VII introduces advanced Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF capabilities. Real-time Tracking utilizes Sony’s latest algorithm, including artificial intelligence-based object recognition to ensure that subjects can be captured with excellent accuracy, even via the touch panel on the rear screen. Real-time Eye AF, the latest version of Sony’s acclaimed Eye AF technology, employs A.I.-based object recognition to detect and process eye data in real time. This results in improved accuracy, speed and tracking performance of Eye AF for both humans and animals(7), which allows the photographer to concentrate exclusively on composition(14).

Movie Making Marvel

The compact and lightweight characteristics of the RX100 VII (approx. 302g / 102mm x 58mm x 43mm(15)) mean it can always be carried and has mounting flexibility that larger cameras simply cannot match.

Despite the small form factors, there are a multitude of pro-level movie making capabilities, including:

• 4K in-body movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning in high bit rate XAVC S™(11)
• Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for video
• 4K Active SteadyShot that is 8x more effective than 4K Standard SteadyShot(16)
• Industry standard 3.5mm microphone input(17)
• Hybrid Log-Gamma(12) (HDR) / S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3, S-Gamut3 / S-Log3
• Compatibility with Movie Edit add-on from the ‘Imaging Edge™’ mobile application for movie stabilization and editing
• Vertical-position data recording for movies(18)
• Interval Shooting(19) for stunning time-lapse videos
• Super Slow Motion(20) recording at up to 960fps
• 180-degree flip screen for ease-of use while vlogging

Shooting Grip Kit for Vloggers

Sony will also be introducing a Shooting Grip Kit (DSC-RX100M7G), which includes an RX100 VII and Shooting Grip (VCT-SGR1) that allows for easy recording and zooming right at your fingertips; Bracket with Accessory Shoe; and two Rechargeable Battery Packs (NP-BX1)(21). Pair this kit with an external microphone (sold separately), such as the Sony Stereo Microphone (ECM-XYST1M) which mounts onto the bracket’s accessory shoe and allows for a convenient and simple vlogging setup.

New Jacket Case for the RX100 Series

Sony has also introduced a new leather-look body case for the RX100 series (LCJ-RXK), which includes a lens jacket and shoulder strap to protect the camera from bumps and shocks. Available in black, it provides easy access to the microphone jack and USB terminal, which enables charging and image transfers without the need to remove the case.

Pricing and Availability

The RX100 VII compact camera will ship in August 2019 for approximately $1,200 US and $1,600 CA.

The RX100 VII Shooting Grip Kit will be available later in 2019 for approximately $1,300 US and $1,700 CA.

The LCJ-RXK jacket case will ship in August 2019 for approximately $85 US and $110 CA.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new camera and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony’s α – Alpha brand.

The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery.

For full product details, please visit:

• RX100 VII

• LCJ-RXK

A product video on the new RX100 VII can be viewed here.

The new Topaz Studio 2 has been announced. You get it on sale now for $79.99 before August 9th.

Press text:

A workflow devoted entirely to creative photo post-processing.

Topaz Studio 2 has only one purpose: creative photo editing. This starts after you select your image and ends when you export your finished work. It’s designed specifically around the artisanal post-processing workflow of carefully crafting a single image to your vision.

Studio is the editor to use when you want jaw-dropping images and you’re not afraid to spend the time to get them. It’s for creating works that push the bounds of your artistic vision; the few that you know you’ll look back upon in years as one of your best creations.

That’s why you won’t find library management, design tools, batch editing, or other common “image editor” tools in Studio. There’s a lot of photo editors out there that help you manage your workflow and make minor contrast adjustments. Topaz Studio is not intended for that. If it doesn’t contribute to the vision of creating singularly beautiful images through post-processing, then we’re not including it.

Instead, Topaz Studio 2 focuses on doing three things well. We consider these the product’s guiding design principles and firmly believe that they will make your creative workflow both easier and faster.

Check out all new Topaz Studio 2 features on this page!

You can now download the full Sony A7rIV brochure (Click here).

Sony A7rIV and new accessories:
Sony A7rIV in USA/CA at BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, Amazon, BuyDig, Henrys.
Sony A7rIV in EU at Calumet DE, ParkUK, WexUK, Calumet NL.
Sony A7rIV in Asia at Sony Japan. Sony Australia.
Sony VG-C4EM grip in USA at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, ParkUK, WexUK.
ECM-B1M Digital Audio Shotgun Microphone at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, Park UK.
XLR-K3M Mic at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, Park UK.

Skylum announce the new Luminar 4 software (info here). It’s available for preorder now and it will be available this fall. Among the many new features it also will have the world’s first Sky Replacement technology.

There are two bundle offers:

1. Luminar 4 + Signature Looks bundle for US$59 instead of US$138
2. Luminar 4 + Signature Looks + Luminar 3 bundle for US$89instead of US$207

Current Luminar 3 owners pay $49 only:

—

Full press text:

Sky’s the limit: Luminar 4 introduces the first automatic Sky Replacement technology

Utilizing the proprietary technology based on machine learning, Luminar 4 will be the first photo editor to have a fully automated Sky Replacement tool to save the artists hours of editing.

BELLEVUE, WA – July 23, 2019 — Today, Skylum announces the upcoming release of Luminar 4, set to ship this fall. Skylum continues to push innovations forward through machine learning tools. In addition to the new AI Sky Replacement tool, Luminar users can expect to see more machine learning present in Luminar 4. With its easy-to-use interface and sensible workflows, Luminar 4 is a great choice for creatives looking to move their photography forward.

“With Luminar 4 we continue to empower everyone who loves photography to make incredible images faster and easier,” said Alex Tsepko, CEO of Skylum. “No one needs a “simply another photo editor” these days. That’s why with every Luminar update we bring photographers something truly meaningful, something that will really level up their creative skills.

In Luminar 2018, Skylum introduced the AI Sky Enhancer filter, helping to add depth and color back into flat or blown-out skies. Earlier this year, Skylum added the Accent AI 2.0 filter to Luminar 3, a powerful content aware filter powered by machine learning to automatically enhance images. Now, with Luminar 4, AI Sky Replacement offers the first automatic tool for replacing skies. Machine learning tools like these are the foundation of the Luminar platform, helping to save photographers hours of manual labor so they can achieve their creative dreams.

Why AI Sky Replacement?
Sky replacement methods have become popular in recent years with landscape photographers, in order for them to truly showcase their creative vision. Up until now, photographers have spent minutes or even hours manually replacing skies, through tools like Smart Selection, Luminosity Masking, Overlaying, Layers, Masking, Smart Brush, Color Range and more. And even with all those tools, it was hard to get a perfect sky.

While development of AI Sky Replacement has been equally challenging, Skylum’s machine learning technology means that photographers can apply a realistic sky to their photograph in mere seconds, freeing up time to be more creative.

How does it work?
AI Sky Replacement works by automatically detecting not only the sky, but also objects in a photograph’s scene. This helps make sure the photo ends up being as realistic as possible once you insert a new sky. It removes things like halos, artifacts and edges of transitions, problems that often were present in existing sky replacement techniques. With the AI Sky Replacement you will also be able to adjust the sky to fit the rest of an image — things like depth of field, tone, exposure and color — making it great for not only landscapes, but also portraits.

When working on an image, the AI Sky Replacement technology automatically creates a mask for the sky, taking a step that would oftentimes take minutes or even hours, and boiling it down to mere seconds with just the click of a mouse. But that’s not all it does — AI Sky Replacement also correctly detects the horizon line and the orientation of the sky to replace so that it looks as realistic as possible.

Furthermore, with the scene relight technology, you’ll see the rest of your photo change in terms of light and color when you select your sky of choice. This makes sure that an image and sky match so they appear they were taken during the same conditions. Because of the toning that AI Sky Replacement does to an image, it looks as natural and smooth as possible.

The new AI Sky Replacement filter is the perfect tool for recreating that special moment that you might not otherwise be able to revisit. It’s great to bring life into vacation photos where the weather wasn’t perfect, or surprise moments where you couldn’t plan for the perfect conditions. And best of all, it’s available through a simple, easy-to-use tool in the Luminar 4 interface.

Now, with AI Sky Replacement, it’s easier and faster than ever for photographers to achieve their goals, and focus on what they enjoy most — photography.

Pricing and availability
Luminar 4 is set to be released this fall. Pre-orders are now available on skylum.com.
Pricing will be announced at a later time, and upgrade pricing will be available for current users.

About Skylum Software
Skylum is a global imaging technology company with offices in Bellevue, USA; Kyiv, Ukraine; and Tokyo, Japan. Skylum allows millions of photographers to make incredible images faster. We automate photo editing with the power of Artificial Intelligence yet leave all the creative control in the hands of the artist. The Skylum Team has won the Red Dot Award, Apple’s Best of the Year, and other top industry awards. To learn more about Skylum, visit http://skylum.com.

BCNranking released the updated market share report for the mirrorless camera market. As you can see Sony is now very close to Canon. I am surprised to not find Nikon on the top 4 positions…

Here are the most sold cameras in Japan (in June):

Sony has registered six new Full Frame sensors. Below you can find the full spec sheets. What’s particular is that the sensor named IMX521 uses the Quad Bayer Structure. Sony writes:

HDR function is available by dividing exposure time in the 4 same color pixels into long exposure pixels and short exposure pixels. or dividing conversion gain in the 4 same color pixels into LCG pixels and HCG pixels.
Quad Bayer RAW function makes it possible to readout 4 same color pixels without addition.
When normal operation. 4 same color pixels are added and made 1 pixel, and output as bayer pixel array. In addition, a group of divided 4 same color pixels is defined as 1 pixel unit in this product specification.

Here are the short sensor specs:
IMX311: 48,9MP (45° deg. square pix array)
IMX313: 48,9MP (16bit A/D, stacked 3:2, 30p at 16:9 FULL 8k readout. 60p at 6k with crop.)
IMX409: 55MP
IMX410: 24.6MP (24mpix, 19fps for photography. 6k 40fps, 4k crop 100fps.)
IMX521: 15MP with Quad Array
IMX554: 30MP

Alex Phan
Female Peregrine Falcon attacks Pelican for flying too close to her nest.
A9 + 400GM + 1.4x TC
iso: 640 , 1/2500 , f/5.6 @560mm
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