Reallusion has released CrazyTalk7, a new application that allows users to create animated talking characters from any digital photograph. Featuring voice-driven animation tools, CrazyTalk7 offers advanced auto animation and key editing functions that enable users to generate more natural, elaborate and life-like animations. “In the past 10 years, we have devoted efforts to providing the most user-friendly and time-saving animation software available, with an affordable price for users ranging from beginners to pro level.  CrazyTalk7 has been carefully refined by automating animation principles that aim to boost production for media professionals and working artists, while at the same time reducing the learning curve for beginners, students and educators.  With the new auto motion technology, we create unlimited possibilities in CrazyTalk7”, said Charles Chen, CEO of Reallusion. “This is an important step in generating facial animations in a minimum amount of time.” CrazyTalk7 is available for Windows PC and Mac, in Standard version at £29.99 and PRO version at. £109.99.

Positive View Foundation has unveiled details of its next major exhibition to be held at London’s Somerset House, entitled “Landmark: the Fields of Photography.” A sweeping overview of the rich genre of 21st century landscape photography, the novel exhibition is the first of its kind anywhere to show both the harsh, even brutal realities of the changing environment, as well as its enduring and stunning beauty. Focusing on our rapidly changing planet, ‘Landmark: the Fields of Photography’ features more than 170 original works of art taken by enterprising photographers employing technology ranging from 19th Century plate-camera techniques to the use of planes, drones, robots and even satellites to capture vivid images of earth’s varied terrain – and even distant planets. Sponsored by Barclays, the “Landmark” exhibition will take place from 14 March - 28 April 2013.

Sony has unveiled its newest range of Handycam branded Full HD digital camcorders. This year’s models include the Handycam PJ780VE, PJ650VE (pictured), PJ420VE, PJ320E, CX410VE, CX280E and CX220E. Key features include Balanced Optical SteadyShot, enhanced wide-angle performance, new ‘Multi Terminal’ interface and upgraded audio with an expanded dynamic range. Three models - including the range-topping PJ780VE as well as the PJ650VE and PJ320E - incorporate built-in projectors with boosted light output and upgraded resolution. New camcorders above the HDR-PJ/CX400 series feature the ‘Multi Interface Shoe’, which accommodates accessories . including external microphones - that draw power from the camera. The new range of Sony Handycam HD camcorders will be available in the UK from February 2013.

Canon has added two new full-frame, 4K-ready prime lenses to its EF Cinema Lens line-up. Designed to work with Canon’s EF mount, the new CN-E 14mm T3.1 L F and the CN-E 135mm T2.2 L F lenses incorporate anomalous dispersion glass and large diameter aspherical lenses to deliver high-resolution images, as well as Canon’s latest broadcast lens coatings to reduce ghosting and flare. Both the CN-E 14mm T3.1 L F and the CN-E 135mm T2.2 L F feature markings on angled surfaces on either side of the lens barrel, making focus and aperture settings easy to read from behind or either side of the camera. A focus rotation angle of approximately 300 degrees facilitates precise focusing adjustments during shooting, while the focus markings can be switched from metric to imperial labelling as required. Each lens has an 11-bladed iris diaphragm for pleasing bokeh. The CN-E 14mm T3.1 L F will be available from May 2013 with a SRP of £ 3,966.00 + VAT. The CN-E 135mm T2.2 L F will go on sale in June 2013 with an SRP of £ 3,793.00 + VAT.

Our fourth award is for Lens of the Year 2012, which goes to the Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH.

“The LUMIX G VARIO 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH standard zoom offers a versatile focal range and a fast maximum aperture in a relatively small package, backed-up by excellent image quality throughout the focal range, the best build quality of any Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lens yet released, a tactile manual focusing system and impressively fast and quiet autofocusing.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Panasonic and the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH!

IDimager Systems has released its latest evolution in digital photo management software:  Photo Supreme. Offering a user-centric solution that provides an advanced and powerful feature set, Photo Supreme has a modern-looking, streamlined application interface that enables photographers to get the most out of the application without enduring a steep learning curve, the company says. Furthermore, Photo Supreme has been designed to take advantage of modern computer hardware such as multiple processor cores and large amounts of memory to speed-up typical photo management tasks and workflows. “Sometimes you need to start over completely to really make a change,” says Hert van Zwietering, Product Manager at IDimager Systems. “With Photo Supreme, we did just that, and our customers will greatly benefit from the modern concepts that we were able to wrap around our extensive experience with digital photo software.” Photo Supreme is available for $79.99.

Think Tank Photo announced that in February it will release a new range of premium-quality camera shoulder bags, called Sub Urban Disguise. The Sub Urban Disguise Series will be available in four sizes:  the Sub Urban Disguise 5, Sub Urban Disguise 10, Sub Urban Disguise 20, and Sub Urban Disguise 30.  Their features include a flip-top lid that folds away from the body to provide quick and unencumbered access to gear. Click through / read on for the detailed specifications.

In February, Think Tank Photo will release a completely updated version of its Change-Up multi-function camera bag. This bag, a chameleon of sorts, can change from belt pack to shoulder bag to chest pack via the harness system.  In addition, many Think Tank Modular and Skin Components can attach to the waist belt straps. “While many camera bags convert from one thing to another, they generally are not great at any one thing,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank’s lead designer and president.  “The Change-Up V2.0 camera bag is an exception to the rule; it converts from one great storage solution to another.”  Version 2.0 has updated sizing and new features including increased height to fir a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, increased depth of top of bag to fit standard-size bodies, added compression straps, increased padding of back panel for added comfort, and more.

Lexar has announced the Lexar High-Performance microSDHC UHS-I card with transfer speeds up to 600x (90MB per second). Bundled with an ultra-compact USB 3.0 reader, the new Lexar microSDHC UHS-I memory card is available in 16GB and 32GB capacities. Available for purchase from leading e-tail outlets worldwide, the Lexar High-Performance microSDHC UHS-I cards have MSRPs of £29.99 (16GB) and £52.99 (32GB).

Chipworks has dismantled the new Nikon D5200 and found that it’s equipped with a totally different sensor than the D3200. Whereas the entry-level model incorporates a Sony imaging chip, the more enthusiast focused Nikon D5200 comes with a Toshiba sensor. “In our recent technology blog entry on full-frame format image sensors, we speculated on the possibility of new entrants in the FF CIS space,” the company says. “What we didn’t expect was a new entrant into the APS-C game with Toshiba winning the primary CIS socket in the Nikon D5200.” For an idea of how the Nikon D5200 stacks up in terms of image quality, have a look at our full-resolution sample images. To read more about the sensor itself, check out the Chipworks website.

Website: Chipworks
Via Pixinfo Blog

Nikon has announced the US availability of the new Nikon D5200 digital SLR camera.  The 24.1 megapixel Nikon D5200 succeeds the D5100, featuring a new EXPEED 3 image processor, ISO range of 100-6400 which is extendable to 25600, 3-inch vari-angle LCD monitor, Fulll 1080p HD movies, 5fps burst shooting, 39-point AF system, 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor, the Scene Recognition System and a new generation GUI Design. Priced at $899.95 with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens, the Nikon D5200 will be available in late January in three colours (black, red and bronze).

Related posts:
Chipworks Dissects Nikon D5200, Finds Toshiba Sensor Inside
Nikon D5200 Sample Photos

Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 by Rico Pfirstinger is a new title from Rocky Nook. The book’s author explores the ins and outs of the X-Pro 1 as he covers topics such as the camera controls and menu system, the hybrid viewfinder and monitor, exposure, metering, focusing, flash photography, and more. Also included is information about third-party lenses, system flash units, and practical accessories. The 276-page volume sells for $29.95.

Sigma UK has announced the suggested retail price of the new 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM lens. Featuring a focus limiter, newly developed USB dock, dust- and splashproof construction and a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture; the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM is part of the manufacturer’s “Sports” line of lenses. Incorporating 1 SLD and 2 FLD elements, the lens’ design also compensates for sagittal coma and minimises the blurring of a point light source in peripheral areas. This lens incorporates the OS system which, the company claims, offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. The new Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM lens will ba available in Sigma and Canon fits from the end of February, with a Nikon version coming at the end of March. The SRP of the lens is £3,599.99.

Sigma UK has announced the SRP of the new 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC OS HSM lens. Mainly used for general-purpose photography, this everyday lens covers a range equivalent to 25.5-105mm on a 35mm camera. The Canon version will go on sale at the end of January and the Nikon variant will be available by the end of February. Sigma, Sony and Pentax fit will follow (the latter two without the Optical Stabiliser). The suggested retail price is £449.99.

The UK’s biggest high-street camera retailer, Jessops, has today gone into administration, putting around 2,000 jobs at risk. The Jessops.com website now states “Please note that the Jessops website will not currently process any new orders however you are able to read product descriptions and articles, customer reviews and watch videos.” According to a BBC report, administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have commented “Trading in the stores is hoped to continue today but is critically dependent on these ongoing discussions. However, in the current economic climate it is inevitable that there will be store closures.” The sad news follows hot on the heels of last years closure of Jacobs Digital, which was the UK’s largest independent camera retailer before it collapsed at the start of October.

Website: BBC News

Want to see exactly what the new Canon PowerShot N camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 34 photos of the Canon PowerShot N in both matt black and glossy white.

The Canon PowerShot N is a completely different compact camera with an unconventional square design, innovative zoom and shoot operation lens rings, built-in Wi-Fi, range of creative filters and a tilting touch screen.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon IXUS 140, PowerShot A3500 IS, PowerShot A2600 and PowerShot A1400 compact cameras look like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 46 photos of the Canon IXUS 140, PowerShot A3500 IS, PowerShot A2600 and PowerShot A1400 compact cameras.

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm X100S camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 32 photos of the Fujifilm X100S, including a side-by-side comparison with its predecessor, the X100, and its new stable-mate, the X20.

The Fujifilm X100S is a premium compact camera with a newly-developed 16.3 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor, EXR Processor II and faster auto-focusing than the original X100.

This claim was certainly borne out in our direct comparison of the two cameras, with the X100s focusing almost instantaneously despite running very early firmware. The X100 with the most recent firmware update lagged noticeably behind, so the X100S certainly promises to fix one of the few major criticisms of the original model.

Other interesting features such as focus peaking and the clever “Digital Split Image”, which displays dual images on the left and right to be lined up for manual focusing, weren’t working on the pre-production model that we tried, but things certainly look promising for the new Fujifilm X100S.

In addition to the Android-powered iM1836, Polaroid has announced two more CSCs, a bridge camera and a camcorder. The Polaroid iM1030 ($299) and Polaroid iM1232 ($349, pictured) are similar to the iM1836 in being interchangeable-lens models (which Polaroid confusingly refers to as “Micro Four Thirds bodies,” even though their sensors are apparently smaller than a regular Four Thirds imager, and the cameras require an adapter to mount MFT lenses), but lack the Android OS that makes the iM1836 truly special. Nonetheless, the Polaroid iM1232 offers built-in Wi-Fi allowing users to instantly upload and share photos on their favourite social networks. Apart from these differences, the three models appear to be quite similar, featuring 18.1-megapixel sensors, 10-30mm kit lenses and 3.5” rear displays.

The company is also launching a bridge camera called Polaroid iS2433 ($199), featuring a 25-600mm equivalent superzoom lens and back-illuminated 16.1-megapixel Sony CMOS sensor; and a camcorder (Polaroid iD975, $249) with 10x optical zoom, capable of shooting Full HD video and 16-megapixel stills.