September 2010

The new Nikon D7000: a big step forward

Nikon put on the market the new middle-range reflex D7000 which will quite probably replace the D90, and in some respects will sit above the D300S. 16,2 megapixel CMOS sensor, full HD 1080p video at 24 fps with continuous autofocus, 39-point autofocus with 3D tracking, magnesium alloy body, RAW format, 2 SD card slots, 100% viewfinder coverage, 6 fps up to 100 shots, battery ensuring up to 1000 shots: these are the main technical specs of the camera. No hope of using the old D90 housings: many controls are new and placed at different positions. Only the owners of an Easy Dive may expect a short-term  release of dedicated controls for the new camera.

A housing is already on its way for the new Nikon P7000

Nikon released the competitor to the Canon G12: the P7000 is a prosumer compact resembling its rival even in its appearence. A 10-megapixel, 1/1,7” sensor, 28-200 equivalent stabilized lens, 3” monitor, HD video (720p), manual controls , RAW format, optical viewfinder, extractable on-camera flash, 2 cm focusing in macro mode: these are the (outstanding) features of the new top-of-the-line of Nikon compacts. With perfect timing Fantasea already announced the imminent availability of the dedicated housing initialed FP7000, expected by early 2011. The housing sports an innovative design, 60 m maximum depth, direct control of the on-camera strobe with diffuser, replaceable by a cover for connecting external optical-fiber strobes. Compatibility with several accessories from various brands is also envisaged. Update: the price of the housing in the US has been announced: $600.

Canon presents the new PowerShot G12

One year away from the presentation of the previous model, the G 11, Canon presents at Photokina the PowerShot G12 : the novelties include the HS System that amplifies the sensor’s sensitivity (still 10 Mpixel), the new stabilizer, a new front control wheel (presumably with the same functions as the one surrounding the S95 lens), and an optional adapter for photographic filters. The underwater housing stays the same as the one for the previous model, the WP-DC 34, and therefore it should not be possible to use the new control wheel. The camera will be available at the stores since next October.

The new Sea&Sea compact available in the States

After the announcement of August 19, the new DX-GE5 by Sea&Sea is on sale in the USA. We have learned something more about the camera inside the housing: it’s the General Electric G5WP, amphibian within 6m, on sale on the US website at the price of $179.99 (the twin G3WP is amphibian only within 3m and costs $149,99). It’s a pretty up-to-date camera, but doesn’t have HD video. Among the interesting underwater features we listed the possibility of manual controls, a specific program for underwater usage, and macro focusing at 6cm with the lens in wideangle position. From the General nElectric website you can download the complete technical specs. In addition, the Sea&Sea website makes available for download the housing User Manual.

Sony calls, Nauticam replies... with a bit of folly

Last May Sony presented the new hybrids NEX 3 and NEX 5. These cameras mount a normal viewfinder instead of the mirror-pentaprism block, but they  sport interchangeable lenses with the typical compact body, with a wide mount and generous sizes. They position in the same market range as the PEN system by Olympus and as the GH series by Panasonic, which use the 4/3 format but mount an  APS-C sensor,  offering a good alternative to compact reflexes.  Last September 21 Nauticam announced the underwater housing for the NEX 5, very compact, aluminum body, with interchangeable front lenses for the various optics, external strobes controlled by an optical cable from the camera’s extractable flash. What’s surprising is that Nauticam spent brainpower and money to allow the owners of the new housing to use the old amphibian Nikonos lens mounts (see A look at the past) with a special adapter. We believe this was a useless effort, not only because automatic focusing went lost and it’s not clear how exposure should work in the absence of electrical connections. Even worse, Nikonos lenses had been designed for the 36x24 format and therefore suffer with the 1.5 equivalence ratio of the Sony sensor, so the only lens that would make sense, the Nikkor 15 f2.8, which would give an angle of 94 degrees on the Nikonos (corresponding to a 20 mm), on the Sony with Nauticam housing actually becomes a 30 mm, losing all its wideangle appeal. Only a hack?  just to waste time?

Olympus presents the new top-of-the-line E5

Olympus has presented the new reflex E5, top of its reflex 4/3 range, renowned for its compactness and for the wide range of good quality optics. A new processing system for the 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor data promises a substantial quality improvement. Other features include 720p HD video, an articulated 3” 920000 points viewfinder, embedded image stabilizer, magnesium alloy structure, view finder with 100% covering. The camera accepts both Compact Flash Type 1, and SD-SDHC memory cards, in two separate slots. So far, no hint of a dedicated underwater housing. Suggested price: $1700.

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 2011