Review Digital Camera World 12-31-2013

Digital Camera World

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2014 predictions: new camera technology we can expect in the new year Dec 31st 2013, 00:01, by anicholson New camera technology is evolving quickly making it an exciting time for photographers. Our head of testing Angela Nicholson makes her bold 2014 predictions for photographers. The Sony QX10 (£144) and QX100 (£339)are essentially cameras without screens that connect wirelessly to a smartphone so its screen can be used for composing images. The images are transferred to the 'phone as well as stored on a card in the camera. We've been talking about the rise of the compact system camera for a while now, but 2013 has been a pivotal year for the genre with more CSCs being announced than DSLRs. And we've not just seen cameras to entice new photographers towards interchangeable lens models. There are also now more options for serious enthusiasts and professional photographers who want to use a smaller, lighter camera, or make use of some of the new features. The prevalence of camera phones has also been a hot topic of conversation over recent years and it is really biting into the compact camera market, especially the lower end. This fierce competition is forcing manufacturers to rethink what they do. Some have responded by concentrating on new cameras that offer something that the cameras on phones generally don't – extensive zoom ranges, waterproof construction, traditional controls, larger sensors and high-end features. Others have introduced new cameras that are designed to compliment a phone by offering Wi-Fi connectivity for quick and easy image upload to the handset and subsequent sharing on Facebook and Twitter etc. It's an interesting time for photographers of all levels and our thoughts are naturally turning to what 2014 might hold. Here is a list of what we believe will happen in terms of photo trends and new camera technology. Our 2014 Predictions for Photographers 1.    Small cameras will be big in 2014 2.    Self-levelling images 3.    Widespread in-camera frame, light-leak and flare effects 4.    CSC AF will match SLR 5.    More pros will switch to using a CSC 6.    Nikon to put a touchscreen in a DSLR 7.    Canon to introduce a high-end CSC 8.    Wi-Fi connectivity the norm 9.    Better remote control apps 10.    Small CSCs increasingly used instead of compact cameras Over the next few pages we’ll explain what we mean by each of these. DON’T MISS: Best cameras of 2013: the top DSLRs and CSCs of the past year 2014 predictions for photographers: new cameras will get smaller We saw a lot of downsizing towards the end of 2013 and I think this trend is set to continue during 2014. The Panasonic GM1, for example, is a tiny Micro Four Thirds model which the company is pitching into the market amongst compact models and not making a big deal of the fact that it can accept interchangeable lenses. Conversely, Panasonic made its GF6, G6 and GH3 larger than their previous incarnations and I wonder if they might reverse this during 2014 and bring out smaller replacements? While the GM1 is very small, the most impressive feat of downsizing was seen with the introduction of the Sony Alpha 7 and 7R (See our Sony A7R / Sony A7 Review). These new cameras have full-frame sensors, but are about the same size as the Olympus OM-D E-M1 (£1,299 body only) – an excellent camera but as a Micro Four Thirds mode it has a sensor that's smaller than the APS-C sized devices in most DSLRs and some compact cameras. SEE MORE: Full frame DSLRs – do you really need one? What's more this shrinkage doesn't come at a hugely inflated cost as their price tags (A7 £1,299 and A7R £1,699 both body only) sit comfortably amongst those for the Canon EOS 6D (£1,399 body only) and Nikon D610 (£1,499 body only). As well as providing a smaller, lighter alternative to a DSLR for full-frame photography, the 24/36Mp A7/R raise expectations about what should be possible for cameras with APS-C and Four Thirds format sensors. PAGE 1 – 2014 predictions for photographers: new cameras getting smaller PAGE 2 – 2014 predictions for photographers: new features to look out for PAGE 3 – 2014 predictions for photographers: light-leaks and frames PAGE 4 – 2014 predictions for photographers: lovely lenses PAGE 5 – 2014 predictions for photographers: death of the SLR PAGE 6 – 2014 Predictions: a manufacturer's view PAGE 7 – 2014 Predictions: a dealer's view READ MORE Sony A7R vs Nikon D800: which full-frame camera should you buy? Nikon Df vs Sony A7R: which full-frame camera should you buy? Nikon D5300 vs D5100 vs D5200: 13 key differences you need to know about 44 essential digital camera tips and tricks 10 ways to drive a photography snob mad 11 best moments in photography in 2013 Dec 30th 2013, 12:00, by jmeyer Another year, another chance to look back at the perfect moments, best news and most memorable discoveries of 2013. From selfies to voices from beyond, here are our 11 favourite photography-related moments this year. Best moments in photography 2013: 1. Obama’s selfie Not only did ‘selfie’ become an actual word that you can look up in the Oxford dictionary, the genre was embraced by the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the State MInister of Denmark in a group photo that sparked speculation and countless columns and comments on the silly, (some said flirty) behaviour of three state leaders at the funeral of Nelson Mandela. Best moments in photography 2013: 2. Sacked photographers rehired If you sack 28 full-time photographers and replace them with iPhones you can expect angry reactions worldwide, as the Chicago Sun-Times found out earlier this year. But it turns out you can also expect a fight from the photographers’ union, in this case the Chicago Newspaper Guild, which has managed to get four of the sacked photographers reinstated. It’s not a full victory, but it’s a very important accomplishment at a time when the perceived value of photography seems to be forgotten by the media that is supposed to uphold it. Best moments in photography 2013: 3. David vs. imaging Goliaths 1:0 Taking AFP and Getty to court over copyright infringement is a big task for a single photographer, but David Morel successfully fought the two imaging Goliaths and won $1.2m after it was established that his image taken in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010 had been used without permission. Let that be a lesson to all editors out there, and a reassurance to freelance photographers. Best moments in photography 2013: 4. Robert Capa’s voice found on Ebay Almost 60 years after he passed away, a radio recording of the legendary photojournalist Robert Capa’s voice appeared on Ebay. it is thought to be the only radio interview Capa ever gave, as part of publicity for his book, Slightly Out of Focus, and it’s now available to the public. Best moments in photography 2013: 5. New old Nikon Df Those of us who yearn for a vintage Nikon FM2 but want to stay in the digital age were given an early Christmas gift on the form of the Nikon Df (see our Nikon Df review). It’s far from the first retro looker on the market, but it packs a fantastic combination of D4-standard innards and ultra chic nostalgia, and it is compatible with vintage f-mount lenses, giving you a true fusion of old and new. Yay! Best moments in photography 2013: 6. Photography Show rescued A highlight in many photographers’ diaries, the annual Focus On Imaging show in Birmingham nearly came to an end when Mary Walker announced its closure in May and maintained it was not for sale. But it didn’t take long for a new show to appear in its place, promising a stellar line-up of top photographers and exciting new gear. Digital Camera World’s publisher, Future Publishing, has launched The Photography Show,  set to take place at the NEC from 1 to 4 March 2014. Best moments in photography 2013: 7. Photographers get a reality show We’ve had to sit through everybody else’s reality show, from models to master chefs, so it was great to learn that Back to Front TV is auditioning for a reality show for photographers. The show will see 12 aspiring fashion shooters compete under the spotlight, complete with tears and tantrums, to produce a new generation of iconic style imagery. Pass the popcorn, please! Best moments in photography 2013: 8. Perfect moments There is nothing better than a perfect photo taken at just the moment when all elements conspire to produce a funny situation. 2013 didn’t disappoint on that front. This ingenious soccer image is just one of many fantastic shots that have brightened our days and distracted office workers all over the world: Best moments in photography 2013: 9. Viral Photobomb How do you turn your wedding picture into an internet sensation? Try an accidental celebrity photobomb, like the one Sascha Reinking caught of Scrubs actor Zach Braff interfering in this wedding shoot, Braff retweeted it to his 1.3 million followers, Reinking got a viral boost of media attention and the rest of us got a good giggle. Best moments in photography 2013: 10. The Rubber Duck controversy On the 24th anniversary of the massacre on Tiananmen Square, the Chinese Government’s attempt to censor all talk and image sharing around the event was countered by the creativity of bloggers and photographers on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. This modified version of Jeff Widener's famous ‘Tank Man’ photo went viral, causing the phrase “big yellow duck” to be added to the Chinese authorities’ censorship list. But not before the world had seen it. Best moments in photography 2013: 11. Epic Rant “Why is it that every time it snows, we whip out photos of snow-covered garden furniture like it was baby photos of our kids. Is that really the best we can do?” Asked a Denver TV news anchor in a rare rant on 9News. Although the rant was targeted at the citizens of Colorado, where cold winters and beautiful nature ought to inspire some really great pictures, it was a welcome message for people and news outlets in many other parts of the world too. It’s time to up our game, take some beautiful winter photography and stop bothering the BBC and our local newspapers with lazy snaps of our patio. READ MORE 32 things photographers say… and what they really mean Breaking bad photo habits: 10 classic blunders (and how to fix them) 99 common photography problems (and how to solve them) Famous Photographers: 100 things we wish we knew starting out

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