As expected, Ricoh has finally introduced a new 24-85mm, f3.5-5.5 lens module for its GXR camera. The A16 module, which was announced late last year, pairs a wide-angle zoom lens with an APS-C sized, 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and image processing engine.
Samsung has debuted the NX200 interchangeable lens camera. The device is also notable for its 20.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and a wide range ISO of 100-12800 covering seven stops. It is capable of shooting in a continuous mode at up to 7fps with a 100ms auto focus function. In video mode, the camera can shoot 1080p/30p.
Specs of four new Sony cameras have leaked online, the APS-C A77 and A65, and NEX-5N and NEX-7 digital SLRs. The A77 and A65 will use a 24.3-megapixel Exmor HD CMOS sensor and a 19-point autofocus sensor. The A77 will feature a moisture- and dust-proof case, which the A65 lacks. The NEX-7 and NEX-5N will both be capable of 1920x1080, AVCHD 2.0 (28Mbit/s) video recording. The NEX-7 will also have the 24.3-megapixel Exmor HD sensor, but the NEX-5N will use the same 16.1 MP Exmor sensor as the Sony NEX-C3.
Photos of Sony's new APS-C cameras, the A77 and A65, have leaked online. Sources for sonyalpharumors also indicated that the launch date for the cameras has been pushed back due to production issues stemming from the twin tsunami and Fukushima disasters in March. The leaker said the A77 will have a magnesium alloy body, a new 24 megapixel sensor, a new double Bionz processor, and a 3 million dot OLED viewfinder. It also has an improved autofocus with 11 cross AF points, and is capable of shooting more than 10 frames per second or full HD video.
Sigma, best known as a maker of third-party lenses, has at last issued an explanation as to why its long-awaited DP1 camera has yet to go on sale. The compact was first revealed at Photokina 2006, and had actually reached the pre-beta stage by early this summer; testing revealed however that the image pipeline was badly optimized, reducing image quality in favor of speed. As such Sigma decided to completely re-engineer the pipeline, as well as other specifications. The revised camera has just recently entered alpha testing, and as such is still an unknown distance away from release.
