Sony reports:

After investigation, Sony has confirmed an issue with ILME-FX6 System Software Ver. 5.00, which was released on May 28, 2024 (JST). After updating to Ver. 5.00 ,if you turn ON the power with the INPUT2 (audio input 2) switch set to LINE, the audio from CH2 may become unintended level.

Due to this issue, we have suspended the download of ILME-FX6 System Software Ver. 5.00. We apologise for the inconvenience and will rectify the situation by releasing a corrected version as soon as possible.

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Thanks Michael for the tip!

You know what camera is selling best in Japan according to the latest April sales data from BCN? It’s that low quality and boring model I never heard of before (Click here). It’s currently being hyped by the younger generation and influencers. They want affordable and compact cameras that give you a pixelated and more stylish image quality!

BCN reports:

• In April 2024, KODAK captured a 22.5% sales share in the overall digital camera market, which combines compact digital cameras (compact digital cameras), mirrorless single-lens cameras, and single-lens reflex cameras. This was the first time that KODAK had ranked first in monthly market share by manufacturer since BCN began compiling digital camera data, according to the “BCN Ranking,” which compiles actual sales data from electronics retailers and online stores.
• The three products that drove KODAK’s market share were the PIXPRO FZ55, PIXPRO FZ45, and PIXPRO WPZ2. All of them were ranked in the top 10 in sales by series for all digital cameras in April 2012. In particular, the PIXPRO FZ55 took the top spot, accounting for more than 10% of the market share. The average unit price is less than 20,000 yen, and its strength is that it is easy to purchase and use.
• Major camera companies have shifted their focus to expensive mirrorless single-lens cameras, and have reduced the handling of inexpensive compact digital cameras or withdrawn from the market. On the other hand, the demand for easy-to-use compact digital cameras remains. Furthermore, due to the influence of the retro boom in recent years, inexpensive compact digital cameras have become a hot topic on social media, and their popularity has increased, especially among young people. KODAK has made great strides by tapping into such niche needs. (BCN Research Institute, Kakei Saito)

Here are the the top 10 best selling cameras:

1. Kodak PixPro FZ55 (11% share)
2. Sony ZV-E10 (8.2% share)
3. Kodak PixPro FZ45 (6% share)
4. Instax MIni EVO (5.5% share)
5. Kodak PixPro WPZ2 (5.1% share)
6. Canon IXY 650 (4.9% share)
7. Canon EOS R50 (4.0% share)
8. Kenko KC-03TY (2.7% share)
9. Canon EOS R10 (2.4% share)
10. Nikon Z30 (2.3% share)

Between Kodak, Kenko and the IXY we have 5 super cheap compact cameras on top! We don’t have such accurate data in the US and Europe. So let me show the crazy unknown cameras selling hot on Amazon (Click here to see the full bestseller list).

I have been in the camera business for 15 years and I never thought I would see a comeback of the ugly, cheap compact cameras! Also because I did not foresee the advent of the crazy world of social-influencers. This is a ‘world’ based on pure irrationality and an emotional rollercoaster. Now I feel like dropping everything and becoming a farmer in a lonely valley :)

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Source: BCN

Press text:

SAN DIEGO, CA – May 30, 2024. Sony Electronics announces the release of Monitor & Control (M&C) app version 2.0.0, an updated offering for Creators’ Cloud for individuals, bringing a suite of powerful new features and expanded compatibility for filmmakers and content creators. This latest update underscores Sony’s commitment to delivering innovative tools that enhance the creative process.

The “Monitor & Control” mobile app for visual content creators supports a myriad of Cinema Line and Alpha cameras, and enables wireless monitoring, precise exposure adjustment, and intuitive focus control on smartphones and tablets, effectively transforming these devices into wireless monitors with professional camera controls. Key features include real-time exposure monitoring, customizable histograms and waveforms, remote control of camera settings, and advanced color settings, providing creators with a more flexible workflow without needing a separate external monitor. It also offers intuitive focus controls, enabling touch focus, autofocus sensitivity adjustments, and Real-time Tracking directly from a mobile device. The on-screen control bar provides precise manual focus adjustments, with configurable settings for focus transition speeds, limits, and magnification.

Expanded Compatibility:

The M&C v2.0.0 app now supports a wider range of camera models, including BURANO, FX6, FX3, FX30, α1, α9 III, and α7S III. This expansion ensures more creators can benefit from the advanced monitoring and control capabilities offered by M&C.

Multi-Camera Monitoring:

Exclusive to iPad OS, the Multi-Camera Monitoring feature allows setting adjustments, control and display of up to four cameras. This function supports both wired and wireless connections through Wi-Fi routers or hotspots, providing flexibility for various shooting environments.

Key Improvements for BURANO and FX6:

Enhanced Monitoring Features:

User Interface Improvements:

Tool Menu Enhancements:

Users can select and customize up to three tools for their screen, including advanced adjustments for options like waveform, histogram, false color, zebra, de-squeeze, grid lines, and rotation.

The “Monitor & Control” ​ mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices.¹

Til June 14 you get GigaPixel 7 for $79 only (Click here to see all features). I use it on a regular basis and I am impressed by the results!

PetaPixel and CineD gave (in my opinion) a very balanced and professional answer to the buzz created by Gerald Undone. Watch it!

One of the possible major leap forwards in terms of Image Quality could come from the use of curved sensors. Sony has plenty of patents showing their ideas but the question is when this tech will be ready for mass production. Now we got news from NHK Technical Research Laboratories:

NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories aims to realize a small, wide-field camera with little distortion. They are continuing their research into a silicon imaging device that is 0.01 mm thick and can be bent freely, and aim to establish the technology to manufacture concavely curved silicon devices by 2025 and put them into practical use by around 2030. NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories has been researching curved image sensors / curved silicon devices for some time now.

Curved sensor allow to get sharp images from corner to corner. Moreover lenses can be about 33% less compact than current lenses because they will not need to use the glass necessary to correct for distortions and loss in sharpness.

But it’s clear that this tech will not be ready any time soon…

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via DClife

Press text:

May 30, 2024 – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shogo Sakuraba; Headquarters: Saitama City, Japan; “TAMRON”), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces updates of the TAMRON Lens Utility, dedicated computer software, and the TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile, dedicated application for Android*1 OS compatible smartphones and tablets. This update will provide additional functionality for greater convenience in the field and expands the possibilities of still and video photography. The software versions will change from the currently released Ver.2.0 to Ver.3.0, and the updated version will be available for download starting May 30, 2024.

Product Features

Delay Time Start (upgrade to an existing feature)

This feature delays activation of a focus shift after the Focus Set Button has been pressed to activate. This is used to avoid shaking or button noises to be recorded when the Focus Set Button is pressed, and action starts.
* In addition to the Focus Set Button on the lens, this can also be used with the Remote Set Button with the TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile.

Focus Stopper (new feature)

This feature fixes the focus range when manual focus is operated during video shooting. This will prevent the user from over passing the focal point.
* The stopper will automatically be released when switching to AF mode.
* In addition to the Focus Set Button on the lens, this feature could also be controlled from the Remote Set Button featured in the TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile.

Astro Focus Lock (Astro FC-L) (new feature)

This feature fixes the focus on stars, which is useful for astrophotography. The focus is shifted to infinity and operation of the focus ring will be disabled (locked). Locking the focus ring prevents the focus from slipping through inadvertent operation.
* In addition to the Focus Set Button on the lens, this can also be used with the Remote Set Button with the TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile.

Digital Follow Focus (DFF) (new dedicated feature only for TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile)

This feature allows you to fix a focus range between two points and perform focus operations from your smartphone screen, just like follow focus techniques. The direction of rotation of the aperture and focus rings, units indicated, and EV steps can also be changed.
* Aperture ring control and EV step configuration is not supported on Nikon Z mount lenses.

Note:

1 Android is a trademark of Google LLC.
2 Only compatible with Android devices fitted with USB Type-C ports.