Pixel Weekly Magazine - Issue 941D by Life Media Group

9th January 2015

ISSUE NO. 941D

INSIDE

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SEVEN NEW COMPACT CAMERAS, FLEX2 SMARTPHONE, CATCH THAT EMPLOYEE!, GOPRO TO DEVELOP DRONES, A REALLY HARD DRIVE AND MUCH MORE...

Kodak Branded Smartphone Announced

Kodak unveiled its first Android smartphone at CES 2015. Tech Radar said the phone was ‘hardly show stealing’, while DP Review offered a scathing review, saying: “The Kodak IM5 is simply a nondescript, mid-tier Android smartphone with the Kodak name slapped on it in an attempt to attract customers who still associate the brand with quality and innovation.” The IM5 sports mid-range features including a 1.7 GHz octa-core processor, Android 4.4 KitKat and 8GB internal storage expandable to 32GB with a microSD. The main camera is 13MP and the front selfie camera is 5MP. It comes with its own app store called Apps, which apparently offers easy access to select applications tailored for the user.

Latest From Las Vegas: 2015 CES Photography Round-Up

The latest imaging news from the International Consumer Electronics Show Moyan_Brenn creative commons

RRP: TBC

Sony 4K Camcorder

Sony has launched the FDRAXP33, allegedly the ‘first 4K camcorder to feature Balanced Optical SteadyShot Stabilisation’ for clearer footage. The new camera films at 4K 100Mbps high-bit rate and comes with Highlight Movie Maker, Live Streaming, Multi Camera Control and a built-in projector (FDR-AXP33) with 50 lumen brightness. RRP: TBC PHOTO -

IMAGING -

Hundreds of thousands of electronics industry professionals, industry leaders, tech entrepreneurs and enthusiasts have swarmed Las Vegas for the annual CES, showcasing the latest consumer technologies in a variety of sectors. Between the more gadgety offerings – products that monitor your fridge, devices that measure the UV rays on your skin, appcontrolled cocktails and robotic hoovers – CES revealed a host of exciting new imaging products for 2015. Nikon, Canon, Samsung, Pentax, Panasonic and Sony were just some of the major photographic brands with new cameras and accessories to unveil at the show’s Digital Imaging

Marketplace. In this issue we reveal Canon’s new portfolio of PowerShot compacts, the FUJINON XF 15-55mm lens and Nikon’s new DSLR with tilting touchscreen. One of the biggest trends of

Insight analyst Ben Wood. In fact, CES organisers said the drone market should be worth as much as £86m in 2015 – that’s a 50% increase on 2014. 4K is still a rising trend, with camcorders such as Sony’s new FDR-AXP33 handycam supporting 4K footage and 4K TVs expected to become more affordable over the next year. The selfie buzzword might seem ‘so last year’, but the trend is still rife at CES, with companies producing a variety of products making it easier than ever for consumers to take self-portraits. Don’t miss our more in-depth look at CES 2015 in our monthly print edition in February.

“Nikon, Canon, Samsung, Pentax, Panasonic and Sony were just some of the major photographic brands with new cameras and accessories to unveil at the show’s Digital Imaging Marketplace”

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the show – with huge potential to impact the photographic market – was the rise of commercial drones. “Drones are arguably the most hyped product at CES,” said CSS -

MOBILE

STATS

PEOPLE

RETAIL

BUSINESS

NEWS

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WELCOME To Pixel Magazine And so the first full week of January draws to a close, kicking off with one of the biggest international tech industry events of the year – CES. While sadly we couldn’t jet off to Las Vegas ourselves, our sources have kept us informed of all the latest photographic launches and trends from across the pond. In this issue we publish details of new products from Canon – including a parade of new compact cameras and an interesting storage hub device, Nikon’s new DSLR and lens, Sony’s handycam and much more. As the Christmas break becomes a distant memory – a happy blur of Toblerone, fizzy wine and cheese at strange times of the day, it’s time to concentrate on the new year. What will 2015 bring for you? New marketing campaigns? New stock, new displays, new customers? However you choose to grow

and adapt in the coming year, please keep us informed. Pixel is here to help you share news, communicate with your industry peers and keep abreast of the rapidly changing photography landscape. If you would like to appear in the magazine, or if you have some news to share, please get in touch with me at zoe@pixel. co.uk Enjoy your read! Zoe, Editor, zoe@pixel.co.uk

Seven New Compact Cameras From Canon

Canon has marked the start of 2015 with seven fresh additions to its PowerShot and IXUS camera ranges Canon’s new models, announced at the beginning of the week, include three new superzoom PowerShots, three compact IXUS cameras, and the palm-sized, squareshaped PowerShot N2. Here, we give retailers a brief run-down of the new offerings: The bridge: PowerShot SX530 HS Canon’s latest bridge camera features 50x optical zoom with 100x ZoomPlus, fuelling the demand for compact cameras with greater zoom. RRP: £329.99 Availability: January

Pocket-sized zoom: PowerShot SX610 HS and PowerShot SX710 HS With 16x and 30x zoom respectively, the SX610 HS and SX710 HS are designed to help novice photographers ‘get closer to those ‘hard to reach subjects’, according to Canon. RRP: 610 – £229.99, 710 – £329.99 Availability: February 2015 Smart camera: PowerShot N2 This unique looking square-shaped

A Really Hard Drive

New rugged hard drive from G-Technology launched G-Technology has launched a rugged allterrain storage device. The new G-DRIVE collection of portable hard drives by G-Technology are designed to withstand difficult conditions. There are two models available, each equipped with Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 connections and encased in an All Terrain Case that can

survive a 2-6.5ft drop and float in rivers and the sea. A new lightweight version of the G-Drive ev RaW has also been announced, complete with a ‘rugged bumper’ that increases its shock resistance. RRP: £99.95 (1TB), £29.95 (500MB)

Catch That Employee!

Park Cameras staff to run 45.7 mile relay for local hospice Staff at independent photographic retailer Park Cameras will (bravely) attempt to run a relay race on a treadmill equivalent to the distance between their stores in Burgess Hill and Central London. The physical training and mental discipline is for a great cause: the team hopes to raise funds to support their local charity St. Peter and St. James’ Hospice. A total of 13 staff, including store manager Chris Reszke, will be training hard to take part in the event on 29 January. HR manager Adel Charles (heading up the running team) said: “I am thrilled to be running for Park Cameras in aid of St. Peter & St. James’ Hospice. Throughout the business, our staff have varying

degrees of running abilities, so running over 45 miles in just 8 hours, is no easy feat. However, knowing the money we will raise will be used to improve the lives of those living with progressive, life limiting illnesses, is the best part of all – despite how tired I might be after running (or walking) my leg of the journey!” The Burgess Hill store will be open for business as usual closing at 7:30pm, and the runners would certainly appreciate any support you wish to give and to cheer them on their way! To support Park Cameras’ challenge, please visit www.ParkCameras.com/ RUN, or visit their Just Giving page www.JustGiving.com/ parkcamerasrun.

camera is the second of its kind, replacing the PowerShot N which was released exactly two years ago. The new model is designed with the selfie generation in mind, featuring a touchscreen which tilts up 180º, automatically activating selfie mode. It also features zoom and shoot lens rings so users can take pictures from a variety of angles. Like the first version the camera, Creative Shot mode automatically

generates a selection of unexpected creative treatments with every shot taken. RRP: £289.99 Availability: January 2015 Small but perfectly formed: IXUS 160, 165 and 170 These new compact cameras are Canon’s smallest cameras to date, yet they are still designed to produce high quality images with 20MP sensors. The 170 has the greatest optical zoom at 12x, while the 160 and 165 feature 8x. RRP: 170 – £149.99, 165 – £129.99, 160 – £99.99 Availability: January 2015

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NEWS Photo Sync App Eyefi Launches Cloud

Eyefi has released a new cloud function enabling photographers to automatically organise and sync pictures taken on any WiFi enabled device as soon as they are shot. “Our customers want to focus on photography rather than on the details of photo management,” said Sam Hui, VP of Product Management at Eyefi. “We are extremely pleased to offer photographers an engaging and integrated photography experience for all their cameras and photos so they can continue taking great pictures and enjoy them whenever they choose and wherever they may explore.” Eye-Fi recently signed a deal with Olympus, whereby the company’s photo syncing and management solutions will be offered with WiFi cameras including Olympus OM-D and Olympus PEN. Additional features include: • Enhance and organise on the spot • Preview all photos, make adjustments using a phone, computer or tablet. • Learn and improve • See what camera settings (EXIF visualisation) were used to create the perfect picture. • View and find photos by camera • Browse photos by camera type to quickly find the best ones. • Enjoy every shot, everywhere • Sync photos to other devices automatically for instant access whenever and wherever.

New Lens To Be Added to Fujifilm X Series

February will see the launch of the FUJINON XF16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR, a new weather-resistant zoom lens

The FUJINON XF16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR lens will have a focal length equivalent to 24mm – 84mm (in 35mm format equivalent), and a constant F2.8 aperture throughout the range. Fujifilm has incorporated a newly-developed coating to reduce ghosting and flare – this is called ‘Nano-GI’ (Gradient Index). The lens is versatile, designed to cover a wide range of shooting scenes from landscape to portraiture. As well as versatile, the XF 1655mm is hardy. It features weather and dust-resistant casing designed to withstand temperatures as low

as -10º. Fujifilm said it: “Can be paired with the “FUJIFILM X-T1” premium mirrorless camera to take advantage of the fully weather-resistant system.”

Top Selling Points: • Versatile - Fast standard zoom with constant aperture • Crisp - designed with 17 elements in 12 groups, including three aspherical lens elements to control spherical aberration and distortion, and three ED glass lens elements to reduce lateral chromatic aberration (wide-angle) and axial \ chromatic aberration (telephoto). • Rounded aperture blades for smooth, circular bokeh • Best performance when teamed

with an X Series camera body. Fujifilm said: “With Lens Modulation Optimiser (LMO) technology, the performance from the lens is improved even further. LMO corrects for diffraction to produce images with edgeto-edge sharpness and create a realistic three-dimensional effect, even at small apertures.” • Quiet, high speed AF • Weather resistant • High quality finish with metal focus and aperture rings • Light - when combined with a body, the lens is approximately 60% of the weight of a full-size system. Availability: The lens will be available in the UK from February 2015 RRP: £899.99

Samsung Reveals Business-CardSized Drive The new SSD T1 has been unveiled at CES

Samsung Electronics has announced the Samsung Portable SSD T1, a portable solid state drive (SSD) designed for speed, security and style. The company says the device is ideal for business travellers, creative professionals and content creators ‘who need secure local storage that they can take onthe-go and use quickly to transfer

large amounts of data’. The SSD T1 is available in 250GB, 500GB and 1TB storage capacities. It is set to launch globally in 15 countries, including the UK. “The Portable SSD T1 allows people to store their entire digital portfolio locally in one place, take it with them anywhere and have blazing fast access to their data, all without worrying about reliability or security,” said Unsoo Kim, Senior

Vice President of Branded Product Marketing, Memory Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our digital lives demand storage that surpasses the limits of existing options, which requires consumers to compromise, when it comes to mobility, capacity, security and performance. “The Portable SSD T1 overcomes the drawbacks of alternative options on every major pain point, making it the next external storage device of choice.” RRP: Starts at £154.79

Nikon Announces DSLR with tiltable touchscreen

The compact touchscreen D5500 has been unveiled at CES The D5500 is the successor to the D5300, launched back in 2013. It is smaller, lighter and this time has a touch-screen. The new DSLR has a 24.2MP DX-format image sensor and an ISO range of 100-125,600. Nikon said: “Combined with the power of a compatible NIKKOR lens, you get images that explode with clarity. Even when printed large

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or shown on a big screen, your photos and movies will be crystalclear reflections of the way you see the world.” Top Selling Points: • New tiltable touch-screen allows photographers to use the camera like a smartphone • Built-in WiFi makes it easy to share images and videos

• Newly designed ‘monocoque’ structure and deep grid improves handling • 9-point AF system with nine crosstype sensors • Continuous shooting speeds of up to 5 frames-per-second • Full HD video clips at frame rates up to 50p/60p • Compatible with the full range of DX-format lenses

Availability: 5 February RRP: Nikon D5500 body only: £639.99 Nikon D5500 body and 18-55 VR II lens (Black or Red): £719.99 Nikon D5500 18-140mm VR (Black): £899.99

NEWS

Lexar Launches Two New Professional Professional 1000x microSDHC and MicroSD Cards Lexar microSDXC UHS-II cards have been launched The cards have been designed for sports camcorders, tablets and smartphones, offering Ultra High Speed II (U3) to ‘provide faster capture, playback and transfer of photo and video files’, according to the company. The cards captures, plays back and transfers more than 15 hours of 1080p full-HD, 3D, and 4K video.

Lexar said they would be ‘an excellent choice’ for photographers using quadcopters to capture aerial content, as they need multiple memory cards for extended use. Wes Brewer, vice president and general manager at Lexar, said: “While the new UHS-II technology allows us to boost read performance in our microSD

product line by more than 50%, we’ve retained full backward compatibility to older SD 2.0 and UHS-I SDR-104 hosts, allowing consumers to have full use in older devices while benefitting from the higher read speeds of the new interface. Available: First calendar quarter of 2015 RRP: £46.99 (32GB), £84.99 (64GB), and £145.99 (128GB).

GoPro To Develop Drones

Rumour has it that GoPro is developing its own range of consumer-targeted camera-equipped drones – but none turn up at CES GoPros are already used by quadcopter hobbyists, so it comes as no surprise to hear that the company is preparing to sell the whole kit in the near future. The news was published in the Wall Street Journal at the end of 2014, marking a move into a brand new – and lucrative – market for the wearable action cam innovator.

According to the Journal, GoPro is looking to launch a ‘multi-rotor helicopter’ priced between $500 and $1,000 at the end of 2015. The leap into drone technology

follows record sales last year of the GoPro cameras, up 15% since 2013. However, there will be tough competition from rival manufacturers such as established Chinese quadcopter maker DJI. But it is hoped GoPro’s established brand will give the new quadcopters lift off in this emerging consumer market.

New High-Performance Prime Lens From Nikon

Nikon has unveiled the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR at CES

Nikon has announced the launch of the first F-mount NIKKOR to be be equipped with a Phase Fresnel (PF) element, a technology that reduces the number of lens elements required to achieve high-quality results – meaning clearer images with less weight. Nikon said: “Use of a Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element noticeably reduces the size and weight of the lens, while the combination of an f/4 maximum aperture, 300mm focal length, and impressive VR technology enables superb results.” Outdoor photographers will appreciate the fluorine coat, which

is designed to repel water, dust, and dirt to keep images clear. Edward Allinson, Junior Product Manager, Lenses & Accessories, Nikon UK, said: “The new and improved lightweight design makes portability even easier than before, allowing [users] the freedom to shoot whenever the opportunity arises. With new and improved features and optical quality, DSLR users can benefit from unrestricted usage and optimum shooting.” Top selling points: • PF for crisp images in a light body • Three focus modes: A/M (prioritises autofocus even

when the focus ring is in use), M/A (allows instant switching from autofocus to manual operation in AF mode), and M (manual). • Nano Crystal Coat minimises ghosting and flare. • SPORT mode - Vibration • Reduction (VR) technology enables shooting speeds of up to 4.5 stops slower. Accessories • The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4 comes with the new HB-73 Lens Hood and CL-M3 Lens Case. • The optional RT-1 Tripod Collar Ring enables the lens to be rotated freely for better balance, and smooth transition between vertical and horizontal orientation when using a tripod. Availability: 29th January 2015 RRP: £1,639

Tesco Begins ScaleDown

Tesco has announced the closure of 43 unprofitable stores across the UK and cancels plans to open 49 ‘very large’ new stores. After two years of falling sales and profit warnings, Tesco is now taking steps to cut its losses. The plan involves closing its staff pension scheme, resulting in cuts of £250m, and reducing its overheads by 30%. Despite plans to scale down, the supermarket enjoyed betterthan-expected sales over the Christmas period, noting a 0.1% increase on the previous period (fuel sales included). In addition, two of Tesco’s businesses – Tesco Broadband and Blinkbox Movies will be sold to mobile network and communications and TV service TalkTalk. Commenting on Tesco’s intentions to cancel plans for new stores, BBC business editor Kamal Ahmed said: “Store openings are still a vital route to gaining new customers. Aldi and Lidl are opening shops as fast as they can find the sites.”

Third Generation FlashAir III Wireless SD Card from Toshiba

Toshiba has introduced the FlashAir III Wireless SD Card, serving its own wireless LAN point which allows users to share images, videos and other files wirelessly. The new card is equipped with new features such as the passthrough feature, allowing users to access the card and Internet simultaneously, so images can be uploaded in real-time. The card can support simultaneous access from up to seven devices, including computers, smartphones and tablets. Available: March 2015 RRP: 16GB - £52, 32GB - £66

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NEWS

New Camcorders in Canon’s LEGRIA Series

Curves are in: LG Launches Flex2 Smartphone at CES The LG Flex2 smartphone was showcased at CES this week, introducing a new concept to the mobile scene: curves. The smartphone’s display and casing is curved for ‘better grip’ making it ‘easy to hold’ and ‘intuitive to operate’, according to LG. The phone is the first to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, and runs the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop. It features a 13MP main camera with image stabilisation, a dual-LED two-tone flash and laser-guided AF (nothing new from the previous LG G3). It also has a front camera with 2.1MP for selfies. Another nifty camera feature is the Gesture Shot control, which enables users to take a photo simply by raising their hand with an open palm, or using a clenched fist to activate a countdown. The Flex2 is expected to go in sale in Korea in January, with release in global markets soon after. Pricing TBC

Trio of handheld family camcorders unveiled by Canon

Canon announced the launch of three new LEGRIA HF R cameras on 5 January 2015, all featuring family-friendly functions such as ‘Baby Mode’ and file lock function to keep sentimental videos safe. The LEGRIA HF R68, R66 and R606 all feature a 32x optical zoom lens with a 57x advanced zoom. Novices won’t have to worry about getting lost while zooming, thanks to the Zoom Framing Assist button, which tells

the camera to automatically pan out to relocate the subject before zooming back in again. The R86 includes a Wide Attachment lens, which can be mounted on the camera to widen its view and shorten the focal length to 26.9mm (ideal for big groups at family gatherings). Canon has added new recording modes to the models, including slow motion recording allowing users to cut

speeds by 1/2x, and speed up events by up to 1200x. As one of the first camcorder launches of the year, it’s no surprise to see sharing options on all three models, allowing images to be shared with other devices via NFC. The R606 is compatible with FLashAir SD cards, which enable users to share their footage without a dedicated Internet connection. RRP and Availability: • R68 – £349.99, February 2015 • R66 – £329.99, February 2015 • R606 – £249.99, February 2015

Phase One Releases Updated Software Capture One 8.1 launches with new updates

Capture One 8.1 has been released by camera and software manufacturer Phase One, offering new tools, increased flexibility and support for additional cameras. Superseding version 8, launched in September 2014, the new Capture One 8.1 now allows users to edit files in other applications, including Photoshop, from within

the programme itself. It also allows up to 16 adjustment layers to be used simultaneously. The company claims the number of cameras that can work tethered with the program totals 350.

Version 8.1 also comes with a variety of bug fixes, including issues with preview generation, importing and dates among others. For full information, visit http:// www.phaseone.com/en/ Imaging-Software/CaptureOne.aspx

All Photos in One Place: New Connect Station by Canon

Canon has unveiled a new photo storage device, the Connect Station CS100 The Connect Station CS100 enables users to save, view and share photos and videos from a range of devices from a single location. The device acts as a central hub for up to 1TB of data that can be transferred via NFC, WiFi, card, or USB. Canon said: “Once stored, the Connect Station CS100 is the

CREDITS & CONTACTS

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perfect way to relive your special moments – from holidays to weddings – with your friends and family at home.” The Connect Station CS100 can connect to large screen TVs via HDMI, allowing users to view their images and films in Full HD resolution.

Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield 01323 819007 lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Editor: Zoe Thomas 01323 819011 zoe@pixel.co.uk

Commercial Director: Simon Skinner 01323 819017 simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Editorial Design: Harriet Weston 01323 819010 harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Operations Director: Clare Fermor 01323 819016 clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Design Assistant: Amy Watson 01323 819010 amy@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Editorial Consultant: Damien Demolder 01376 339240 damien@damiendemolder.com

Accounts: Amelia Wellings 01323 819016 amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk

They can also be wirelessly viewed from smartphones, tablets and computers. The Connect Station CS100 lets users share their content to a range of social media sites – as well as to irista, Canon’s cloud-based image programme. Albums can also

Subscriptions: Linda Grace 01323 819015 linda@lifemediagroup.co.uk

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be sent in full resolution to other Connect Stations, allowing users to share with people around the world. Users can even print stored images, without the need for a PC, using a connected PictBridge via Wireless LAN compatible printer. RRP: £199 Availability: June 2015

All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Pixel Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Pixel Magazine assume no reponsibilty for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisment contained within Pixel Magazine. All prices featured in Pixel Magazine are correct at the time of going to press.

THE NEW PHO TO COLLECTION

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The Photography Show is the premier platform for professional and aspiring photographers. Join us in March and discover the latest kit and accessories from world-class brands, explore our interactive live stages and gain access to a wealth of information and networking opportunities to enhance your photography business.

photographyshow.com

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* Pre-registration closes on 16/03/2015, visitors buying on the door will need to pay the standard adult ticket rate.