Picture This: A Wider Field of View
New products continue to expand the ways we take photos.
By Earl Nottingham
2018 was a whirlwind for the photo industry, and just trying to keep up with the latest and greatest cameras and accessories could make a person dizzy. The race toward more megapixels, larger sensors and higher- quality video was relentless as manufacturers tried to best the competition. The result is that at the end of the year and just in time for Christmas, there are some great new products out there for that special photographer on your list. Here are a few of the more notable examples that represent the current trends.
DJI MAVIC 2 PRO • $1,499
During the year, DJI debuted several new drones. One standout is the compact Mavic 2 Pro. While similar in many ways to earlier Mavic models, this one has a much larger 1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor paired with an honest-to-goodness Hasselblad camera. This combination along with its 4K 10-bit video puts professional-quality stills and video into a very small package. Flight time has been increased to 31 minutes at speeds up to 47.7 mph. Its new OcuSync video transmission technology can transmit a full HD 1080p signal for up to 5 miles. Other standout features include obstacle sensors on all sides designed to safely stop when obstacles are detected, as well as new algorithms that can accurately track subjects in a variety of creative ways.
CANON EOS R MIRRORLESS • $2,299
As Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera offering, the entry-level EOS R features a high- resolution 30.3-megapixel CMOS sensor along with a new lens mount to support the new line of RF-mount lenses. Owners of existing EF-mount lenses will be happy to know that their lenses will work with the new body via an adapter. Canon’s Dual Pixel Autofocus system ensures smooth and fast focusing for both still and video. The sensor provides a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-40,000, which can be expanded to ISO 50-102,400. For video shooters, EOS R supports ultra-high-definition 4K resolution recording at up to 30 frames per second, along with full HD 1080p shooting at 60 fps and HD 720p at 120 fps for slow-motion playback. The magnesium alloy body is dust- and moisture-sealed.
FUJIFILM X-T3 MIRRORLESS • $1,499
For photographers who like the feel of a traditional analog camera body complete with metal knobs on the top, the Fujifilm X-T3 mirrorless camera retains a classically inspired retro feel. Under the hood, however, the newly developed 26.1-megapixel APS-C sensor uses four processors for faster image processing for high-resolution stills and internal 4K 10-bit video recording. The camera also offers film simulation modes, which can emulate classic cinema and film stocks. Additionally, the X-T3 has built-in wireless and Bluetooth connectivity for sharing and remote control, and it is fully weather-sealed.
LACIE DJI COPILOT BOSS - 2TB PORTABLE HARD DRIVE • $349.99
Large digital files call for lots of file storage space. That space is needed when shooting large numbers of photos in the field or on an extended vacation. It’s common practice to copy a full memory card directly to a computer or to a hard drive connected to the computer. The self-contained LaCie DJI Copilot BOSS is the first to offer computer-free copy and backup of files directly from memory cards, video cameras, DSLRs, drones, phones, USB hard drives and flash drives. With its built-in wireless capabilities, video or still files on the drive can be viewed via smartphone or tablet. The Copilot can also be used as a backup battery for USB devices. It includes an SD card slot, USB-C and USB-A connectors, and a cable for connecting to a phone or tablet. Its dense padding ensures that it is drop-, splash- and dust-resistant. Its 2TB drive offers enough storage for most any assignment.
Please send questions and comments to Earl at earl.nottingham@tpwd.texas.gov. For more tips on outdoor photography, visit the magazine’s photography page at www.tpwmagazine.com/photography.
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For more on TP&W magazine photography, go to our Photography page
