ISSUE 127
18 / NEWS
BITS AND PIXELS Small innovations with big impact
Forget more megapixels and faster frame rates. These are the smart upgrades that can actually change how you shoot
Not every important camera upgrade is a great revolution.
is a game changer for solo shooters, vloggers and remote set-ups, turning your smartphone into a powerful external monitor and controller. 3 Internal Raw video Most photographers are aware of the benefits of shooting Raw photos, at the expense of file size. Raw video brings all the same benefits but the file size issue and heat created is immense. Raw video used to require external recorders, but cameras like the Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z 9 brought internal Raw mainstream. It delivers maximum flexibility in post-production, allowing exposure recovery and supporting high-end workflows without the extra gear. Just about every manufacturer apart from Sony now has it. And on the subject of video, 32-bit float audio is like Raw HDR for sound! 4 IBIS breakthrough One of the greatest innovations has been in-body image stabilisation, which allows you to go lower on the shutter speed than a non-stabilised camera. Panasonic and OM System led the way with their MFT cameras. The theory is: the smaller the sensor, the more effective it can be. But Hasselblad has just blown that theory out of the water with its latest medium format X2D 100C, offering up to seven stops of stabilisation on a 100-megapixel sensor. It makes medium format practical for real- world photography.
A lot of new tech may seem like a small improvement, but can make a real difference. We’re not talking about incremental upgrades like faster frame rates or even more resolution, but tech tweaks that move the needle which you may have missed. Here are ten relatively new improvements in cameras that make perfect sense. 1 Built-in storage The days of having to carry loads of fragile and easy-to-lose memory cards might be coming to an end as some cameras now feature internal storage. Many offer large internal recording options, such as 1TB on the latest Hasselblad medium format kit or the Sigma BF with 230GB. This simplifies workflows, improves reliability and avoids costly media, especially for high- bit-rate video formats. And you’ll never leave home without memory again. Of course, the best have a card slot too, so you can have an instant backup or simply choose to use it as the main memory. 2 Remote monitoring by phone Previously, if you wanted to view your camera screen remotely, it involved
5 Flash sync innovation To reap the benefits of full-power flash, you need to keep below your camera’s maximum flash sync speed – usually 1/250 sec or lower. That’s not good when using it outdoors in sunshine, and is why many cameras now offer HSS – high speed sync. However, this severely reduces the effective power of your flashes.
MEMORY MASTER Having a large internal memory is a great feature, and Sigma’s BF has 230GB
The Sony A1 pushed boundaries using magnetic technology to give true flash sync at 1/400 sec, enabling more creative lighting control. This is particularly valuable for sports, action and high-speed studio work. 6 Global shutter The Sony A9 III is the first full-frame mirrorless camera with a true global
complicated kit such as external monitors and, usually, long cables. Wireless camera control has changed all that. Most modern mirrorless cams allow full monitoring, focus control and exposure adjustment via apps. This WIN! A 512GB Samsung memory card
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If word play is up your street, you can win one of Samsung’s updated Pro Ultimate cards that let you shoot more, faster. It’s a fast U3, Class 10-rated card with read/write speeds up to 200 and 130MB/s to let you smoothly take and transfer photos and video. The cards have protection from water, extreme temperatures, X-rays, magnets, drops and wear out, plus they come with a ten- year limited warranty. Complete the word search comprising 20 things to do with camera technology, and you’ll
find one word in the list that’s not in the grid. Email us on puzzle@ photographynews.co.uk with that word in the subject box by 7 July and the card will be yours if your name is drawn at random from all the correct entries. Only entries from UK residents please. Well done to Dean Bostock from Basingstoke who was our winner from issue 125. The missing word from issue 126 was ‘panorama’.
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