Fujifilm has launched the X-T30 III, a compact mirrorless camera with significant upgrades including 6.2K open-gate recording, 4K/60P, and a 26.1MP sensor, along with a range of manual controls and film simulations, targeting hybrid shooters and enthusiasts.
The article highlights the week's notable tech releases including Bose's upgraded noise-canceling earbuds, Fujifilm's compact mirrorless camera, new portable speakers, high-end in-ear monitors, and innovative gaming consoles, showcasing a diverse range of cutting-edge gadgets for tech enthusiasts.
Fujifilm announced the X-E5, a sleek $1,699.95 mirrorless camera set for August release, featuring a 40MP sensor, retro-inspired design, a new control lever, and a dedicated film simulation dial, with enhancements like in-body stabilization and a vintage-style viewfinder mode, appealing to dedicated X-series enthusiasts.
Sony has unveiled its new A1 II mirrorless camera, featuring a 50.1-megapixel sensor capable of shooting 30 fps RAW photos and 8K video. While it retains many features of its predecessor, the A1 II incorporates design and performance enhancements from other Sony models, such as improved ergonomics and an AI processor for better autofocus. Accompanying the camera is a new FE 28-70mm f/2 GM zoom lens, offering a faster aperture and lighter weight compared to similar lenses. Despite these updates, the A1 II faces increased competition from rival brands like Canon and Nikon.
Nikon has unveiled the Z50II, an upgraded version of its entry-level mirrorless camera, featuring a new image processor and a dedicated button for accessing 31 film-inspired color styles. The camera, priced at $909.95 for the body, offers enhanced shooting capabilities, including improved autofocus, 4K video at 60 fps, and a brighter electronic viewfinder. It also introduces features like a waveform monitor and a "Product Review Mode." The Z50II will be available in late November, with lens bundles also offered.
Nikon has unveiled the Z50 II, an upgraded version of its mirrorless APS-C camera, featuring enhanced video capabilities, including 10-bit N-Log capture, and a new EXPEED 7 processor for improved performance. The camera introduces a dedicated Picture Control button for easy access to color presets and Imaging Recipes, inspired by Fujifilm's film simulations. It supports 4K video recording, offers multiple subject detection modes, and includes features like a pop-up flash, mic and headphone jacks, and a vari-angle LCD. The Z50 II will be available in November 2024, starting at $909.95.
Canon has unveiled its new flagship mirrorless camera, the EOS R1, featuring a 24.2-megapixel back-illuminated stacked sensor, advanced autofocus, and AI-driven noise reduction. Aimed at professional photographers, it offers up to 40 FPS shooting, 4K/60p video, and a 9.44 million-dot OLED EVF. Priced at $6,299, it will be available this fall.
Nikon has released firmware version 5.00 for its flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z9, which enhances usability for sports and portrait photography. The update includes features such as expanded Auto Capture and High-Speed Frame Capture+ functions, new portrait photography enhancements, improved operability, and compatibility with certain Nikkor Z lenses. The firmware also introduces a range of other features to enhance the camera's performance, making the Nikon Z9 even more appealing to its users.
NASA and Nikon have partnered to develop a modified version of the Nikon Z 9 mirrorless camera, known as the handheld universal lunar camera (HULC), for astronauts to use on the Moon during the Artemis III mission. The camera will feature Nikkor lenses, a NASA-made thermal blanket, and a custom grip for spacesuit use, offering more flexibility than previous lunar cameras. NASA is conducting rigorous testing on the camera to ensure its functionality in space-like environments and plans to send it to the International Space Station for a demo before the Artemis III mission, which is now expected to take place in September 2026 at the earliest.
Nikon is collaborating with NASA to develop the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC), a mirrorless camera system that will be used by astronauts during the Artemis III mission to the Moon's south pole in 2026. The camera, based on Nikon's Z9 flagship, is designed to withstand the lunar environment's extreme lighting and temperature conditions, featuring thermal blankets and modified components. This marks the first time a mirrorless camera will be used on the Moon, providing both still imagery and video capabilities in a single device, unlike the separate cameras used during the Apollo missions.
Nikon has released firmware version 2.0 for its Z8 mirrorless camera, introducing features such as dedicated autofocus for birds, auto capture, pixel shift shooting, and a rich tone portrait picture control. The update also includes enhancements to operability and functionality, and is available for free download. Additionally, Nikon has updated its NX Tether software to improve tethered shooting with the Z8 and Z9 cameras, offering support for both photo and video capture, full-coverage live view display, and control over shooting settings unique to Nikon.
The Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera is currently available at a 23% discount on Amazon for Cyber Monday. With its 45 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, advanced image processor, and expanded ISO range, this camera delivers high image quality and excellent low-light performance. It also offers high-speed continuous shooting, accurate autofocus, dual memory card slots, and in-body image stabilization. The Canon EOS R5 is a powerhouse camera that provides professional-level features at a fraction of the original price, making it a great deal for photography enthusiasts.
Walmart is offering a massive discount of $635 on the Sony A7 III mirrorless camera for Black Friday, bringing the price down to $1,365 from its regular price of $2,000. The A7 III is known for its compact size, full-frame sensor, and interchangeable lens system, making it a popular choice among photographers and videographers. With features like cinema-like 4K video recording, fast autofocus, and wireless photo transfer, the A7 III offers professional specs at an accessible price. Free shipping is included with the purchase.
Sony has introduced the Alpha 9 III camera, featuring the world's first full-frame global shutter image sensor in a mirrorless hybrid. This sensor allows for distortion-free images and eliminates rolling shutter distortion or camera blackout when shooting fast-moving subjects. The camera also offers advanced autofocus capabilities, flash sync at high shutter speeds, and the ability to record 4K high-frame-rate video. The Alpha 9 III is primarily targeted at high-end sports and wildlife photographers and is available for pre-order at a suggested retail price of $5,999.99 USD.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has released images of the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC) being tested for the upcoming Artemis III mission to the Moon in 2025. Close examination of the images reveals that the camera being used is a modified Nikon Z mirrorless camera, possibly the Nikon Z9. The camera has been designed for handheld use in space and features modifications such as a repositioned rear screen and key buttons to accommodate astronauts wearing gloves. Nikon has a long-standing partnership with NASA, and their cameras have been used in space missions since 1971.