So many announcements! This past week, we got sneak peeks at some seriously exciting gear from budget-friendly to best-of-the-best. Read on for announcements from Sony, OM Systems and Nikon, a Halloween viewing recommendation, and so much more!
Sony’s newest Point and Shoot: vlogging for the masses.
Sony announced the latest iteration of their ever-popular ZV-1 on Thursday, October 13th, the new fixed-lens ZV-1F. The new model differentiates itself with a fixed 20mm equivalent lens, USB-C connectivity for charging and streaming capabilities and a $300 lower price tag than its predecessor. The new camera shares the same sensor and processor as the previous ZV-1, along with the same body styling and size, though the new model shaves off a few grams by not having an extending zoom lens.
Let's dive a touch deeper and have a look at the ZV-1F's key specs:
- 20MP Type 1 (13.2mmx8.8mm) BSI CMOS sensor
- 20mm equivalent (7.6mm) f/2 lens with
- Contrast detection AF (no phase detect)
- 4K up to 30p
- 1080 up to 120p
- 8-bit 4:2:0 video
- 40.5mm filter thread
- Product Showcase focus mode
- Sony Super Resolution for lossless zooming (up to 1.5x in 4K)
- New touch-friendly menus & controls
All told, it looks like Sony will have another winner in the compact-vlogging camera sphere. The lack of RAW photo capture for photos and phase-detect AF may turn off potential hybrid shooters but the excellent video features, built-in microphones, sharp lens and attractive price point make this new offering from Sony a compelling choice for beginner filmmakers, or those looking for a certifiably crispy webcam.
The new Sony ZV-1F is available for pre-order and will be released officially on October 24th. Visit mcbaincamera.com/new for more information.
The new Sony A7R V:
Sony's fifth-generation high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera has landed. The newly announced A7R V features an all-new screen design, AI-enhanced autofocus, improved video and more packed into the same body design as the A7 IV. Returning from the previous A7R IV is the same 61MP BSI CMOS sensor with up to 10 frames per second continuous shooting. The new camera adopts much of what we loved in the Alpha 1; the fantastic 9.44-million dot EVF, the incredibly speedy Bionz XR processor and 8K video support. Have a look at the full spec sheet:
- 61MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor
- Improved AF with subject recognition
- IBIS rated at up to 8 stops of shake correction
- 10fps continuous burst shooting (with flash)
- 8K/24p or 4K/60p video (both with 1.24x crop)
- Full-width 4K up to 30p (binned down from 8K)
- 10-bit 4:2:2 recording options
- New fully articulating/tilting display
- Multi-shot pixel-shift high-res mode with motion compensation (via a supported PC or Mac)
- Focus breathing compensation
- Focus bracketing mode (with stacking via a supported PC or Mac)
With all the improvements over the already stellar A7R IV, the new A7R V looks like it'll be another winner from Sony. While dedicated video shooters may find more features attuned to their shooting style in the FX 3 or A7S III, high-resolution hybrid shooters will be over the moon with this new powerhouse.Visit mcbaincamera.com/new to learn more and to pre-order today!
The new OM Systems OM-5:
The rebranding continues! Following the release of the OM-1, OM Systems committed to bringing the rest of the Olympus lineup up to snuff. Earlier this week, they took the next steps in doing just that. The E-M5 Mark III has officially met its replacement, the physically indistinguishable O-M5. Though the physical designs of both cameras are practically identical, its what’s under the hood that gets us excited. With nearly double the processing power than the previous E-M5 Mark III, the new O-M5 adopts many of the computational features of the more expensive O-M1 like LiveND, Starry Sky AF and handheld high-res mode. Let’s have a look at the full spec list:
- 20MP Four Thirds Sensor
- 121 point hybrid-AF system
- 50MP handheld high-res mode
- 10fps burst with continuous AF, 30fps with E-shutter
- DCI and UHD 4K recording options with no record limits
- 7.5 stops of shake correction with IBIS and supported lenses
- 2.36M-dot EVF
- Articulating touchscreen
- IP53-weather sealed body
- Micro-USB charging
- USB streaming for webcam use
For more information on the newly released O-M5 or to place a pre-order, visit mcbaincamera.com/new
Z9 Firmware 3.0:
Check out the Z9’s newest firmware update with High-Res zoom, video anti-flicker settings and more! Click the link to download: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/467.html
Keeping up-to-date with the latest firmware ensures you can take advantage of all the latest features available for your camera. Firmware updates can also add compatibility with lenses and accessories or improve functionality. If you are not comfortable running an update on your own, let the experts at McBain help! Bring your camera down to the McBain nearest you to have its firmware updated to the latest version. Please be sure your battery is fully charged before turning it in for servicing.
A Halloween Viewing Recommendation:
The spookiest holiday of the year is right around the corner. There's no better time to cozy up on the couch in your favourite costume with an entire tray of Pillsbury ghost cookies and consume some creepy content. For lovers of the vintage and the macabre, but also those fans of modern visual effects and spectacle, we recommend Marvel's Special Halloween Presentation: Werewolf by Night, available on Disney+.
As composer Michael Giacchino's directorial debut, Werewolf by Night serves both as an introduction to the demonic, occult side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as an homage to beloved horror classics from years past. The story follows Jack Russell, a monster hunter who's been summoned to participate in a hunt with a group of 4 other hunters to determine who will become their new leader and wield the illustrious Bloodstone.
Featuring a visual style that's part 1920's B-movie, complete with Cigarette Burns on the film grain, part modern MCU blockbuster, Werewolf by Night finds a niche that's all its own, satisfying both traditional practical effects buffs and CGI connoisseurs alike. The score of the piece is also notable, with one particular piece involving a flaming tuba coming to mind as strikingly creative, an apparent side effect of Giacchino's dual role of director/composer. So for a shockingly gory yet heartfelt story about what it means to be a monster and an audio-visual experience that's better than almost every other Marvel project from the last decade, check out Werewolf by Night this Halloween.
Used gear!
Have a peek at our used inventory! It's officially been a month since our Trade-In event, so gear that was traded in at the event is now up for grabs! Be sure to follow us on Instagram for weekly used gear features, and visit us at mcbaincamera.com/used to check out everything we have!
Sales:
- Sennheiser’s Double Mic Deal: Receive a free MKE200 with the purchase of an MKE600 microphone. While supplies last, $129.99 value.
- 3 Legged Thing Rocktober: Save 10% on 3 Legged Thing’s entire lineup* of tripods and tripod accessories. *Excludes clearance items. Offer valid from Oct 1st-31st.
Events:
- Aaron Pedersen Studio Portfolio Review: Photography can sometimes seem like a solitary pursuit. You might work alone and edit alone, and when you finally release an image or project, you are generally rewarded with likes and the ubiquitous fire or heart emojis. Chances are you are the best photographer you know. So maybe it’s time to talk about your work with someone that cares as much about the craft as you do. As part of the growing community that is PS+A and in association with McBain Camera, we’d like to invite you for an industry review of your portfolio. This is a chance to have your work seen by professionals that have made photography part of their livelihood and to talk about what inspires you and your work. We encourage photographers from all disciplines to attend, from portrait to landscape, fashion, and still life. We want to see what you have dedicated your creative efforts to.
- Basics of Beauty Photography with Kate Whyte: Learn how to create dynamic and impactful beauty-focused images using simple light set ups, sophisticated makeup and refined post-production. Kate Whyte is a Canon Ambassador, a Profoto Shaper of Light and an award-winning commercial photographer living in Vancouver, Canada. Coming to photography from a graphic design background, her photographs feature strong compositional elements and refined post-production techniques. Her photos have been featured in publications like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire and she's worked for clients like Profoto, Netflix and Nars Cosmetics.