The EISA Awards have been announced, naming the Sony A1 II as “Camera of the Year.” However, the awards remain controversial due to the organization’s close ties with the industry. With sponsorship from many of the winning brands, critics argue that the ever-expanding list of categories serves to ensure that each major company walks away with a prize. 

Here are the winners:

• Sony Alpha 1 II — Camera of the Year: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Canon EOS R1 — Professional Camera: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Canon EOS R5 II — Full-Frame Camera: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Nikon Z5II — Best Buy Camera: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Nikon Z50II — APS-C Camera: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Fujifilm GFX100RF — Compact Camera: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Panasonic S1R II — Photo/Video Camera: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• OM-3 — Micro Four Thirds Camera: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Canon V1 — Vlogging Camera: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Sony 50-150mm F2.0 — Lens of the Year: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Nikon 50mm f/1.4 — Best Buy Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Canon 50mm f/1.4  — Standard Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Sony 28-70mm F2 — Standard Zoom Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Sony 85mm GMII — Portrait Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Tamron 70-180mm  — Macro Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Nikon180-600mm — Telephoto Zoom Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Tamron 50-300mm— Superzoom Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Nikon 600mm f/6.3— Telephoto Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Canon 200-800mm— Telephoto Zoom: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Sigma 120-300mm — UltraTelephotoZoom: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK
• Sony 16mm F1.8 G — Ultra-Wideangle Lens: B&H, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, WexUK

You save 25% on those Type A cards:

• 25% off on the VPG200 4th generation cards sold on Amazon (Click here).
• 25% off on the VPG400 cards sold on Amazon (Click here).

Preorders:
Sigma 200mm f/2.0 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.
Sigma 12mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Two photographers were invited by Sigma to test the new 200mm FE lens ahead of the release. Jeff Hargrove images and report can be seen here:

The lens’s outstanding image stabilization gave me confidence that the images would be perfectly sharp in the low-light conditions where I would normally require a tripod. It has certainly gained its place in my arsenal of portrait lenses.

Yang Sutie images and report can be seen here:

My landscape photography journey with the Sigma 200mm F2 DG OS | Sports lens was immensely rewarding. The lens performed flawlessly, capturing nature’s intricate details and fleeting moments of light and shadow.

Here are their videos:

The only benefit you get from this update is:

• Improves the operational stability of the camera

Preorders:
Sigma 200mm f/2.0 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.
Sigma 12mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Press text and reviews:
Introduction at Explora. 200mm lens test at PetaPixel and ThePhoBlographer. 12mm test at APVL. Italian review at Juzaphoto. Product page at Sigma

200mm lens reviews:

12mm lens reviews:

Official product videos:

Many SAR readers sent me this teaser for a new Sony product launch event. But I hate to disappoint you: This is for the RX1rIII launch event in the Philippines :(

Sony RX1rIII in Stock at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Mitakon announced this massive new Macro lens you can preorder for $399 on their official store (Click here).