Japan may not be the land of photography invention, but it is the home of the form. Almost every camera manufacturer is based in Japan, and many of the greatest photographers are Japanese. While it is not the time for other photography exhibitions yet Japan's CP+ still sees its share of new cameras and announcements. Considering the level of craze for photography in the current period, nothing could have matched the demand than a spectacular photography show. There were selfie sticks and handful of drones at Japan's annual CP+ camera show; it was truly a big camera show. It was a grand platform for the press, business and of course masses. The 'big' show embraced both the considerably sized DSLRs and plenty of entry - to the big level point-and-shoot cameras. Let’s take a closer look at the grand camera show of the year with some minute details and specifications.
Smaller the better
Pentax creates a marvel with its new K-S2 that is supposedly the most diminutive weather-resistant DSLR in the world. With an 18-50 mm f/4-5.6 kit lens, the K-S2 is the first Pentax K series DSLR to feature Wi-Fi. It also has a vari-angle display that allows you to click more creative images. Pentax has a tradition of manufacturing compact lenses for its DSLRs, and it has kept up the trend with the K-S2 as well. Although not as colorful as the other cameras, the orange strip at the bottom of the camera adds a neat and distinctive touch to its appearance.
Nikon aims for astrophotography
Designed for pointing at the night sky, the Nikon D810A made its first display at CP+. The specialized version of the standard D810 has been modified for particular types of astrophotography. The infrared cut filter has been advanced to allow transmission of the hydrogen alpha spectral line. This produces a greater sensitive photograph and captures the brilliant red hues of diffuse nebulae and constellations in fantastic accuracy and detail. The Nikon D810A is an excellent camera for photographing universe. You can also pair it with either Nikkor lenses or third-party adaptors for telescopes.
Sigma releases the Art series lens
Japan's biggest camera show saw the display of the well-regarded, latest and long-awaited Art series lens from Sigma. The full-frame compatible 24 mm f/1.4 will be out in March this year. Not only does this lens look professional but it feels professional too. The excellent quality of external construction makes it sturdy and demanding. There will be versions available for Nikon, Sigma, and Canon's cameras. Later, it will be joined by the 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 telephoto zoom in Nikon and Canon mounts.
The Canon prototype surprise
Canon's pre-CP+ announcements last week made huge news stating that Canon 50 megapixel 5DS is the highest-resolution full-frame DSLR till date. On the other hand, it is exciting to know that the EOS M3 is the best mirrorless camera the company has ever made. At CP+, the imminent Canon PowerShot G3X got its first outing in the prototype form. Designed as a premium compact camera with 1-inch sensor, the camera also features a sturdy and heavy 24-600 mm equivalent lens. Although the performance of this prototype could not be judged at the show, it should be one of the most versatile cameras once it lands in the market.
Panasonic's selfie solution
The specter of selfies was looming over camera makers at the CP+ and Panasonic had the perfect solution for all of them. The Panasonic Lumix GF7 is a diminutive; it has Micro Four Thirds with retro looks and is equipped with a flip-up screen. It is a neatly designed, well-built camera with a quality of ultra-portability due to its tiny design. You can also team it up with the collapsible kit lens. This compact Panasonic Lumix GF7 is sure to up the Instagram game for all the selfie lovers.
The wonder lens from Pentax
Pentax claims the 18-50 mm f/4-5.6 lens to have the physically shortest zoom in the world. Being the kit lens for the K-S2, this camera lens is also weather-resistant. Extremely durable and sturdy, the Pentax 18-50mm lens holds up the photographer towards the subject and produces excellent quality photographs. This is one of the best camera gears of the CP+ that grabbed the attention of the photography enthusiasts.
Olympus Air
The CP+ show exhibited the Olympus Air that is the company's take on Sony's QX line of wireless cameras. It also has a mount that connects to smartphones. The Air features a 16 MP Four Thirds sensor, tripod mount and a physical shutter release button. You will also find a microSD slot and lithium-ion battery. There is an 81-point AF system, and the camera can shoot at an impressive rate of 10 frames per second.
The new addition to Olympus OM-D line
Another amazing showcase at the CP+ was the Olympus E-M5 Mark II, the latest entry in the pioneering OM-D series. This camera features an excellent video capability, a vari-angle LCD, and camera mode that uses the sensor-shifting stabilization. Olympus is promoting a 40 MP high-resolution shot mode that captures eight photos in a single second. It is the most advanced OM-D to date. The Mark II does not deviate too far from the original Olympus mirrorless camera formula yet has some striking add-ons. The camera also features Wi-Fi connectivity now, and the five-axis image stabilization pioneered by the previous models remained unchanged. Being a serious video camera, the EM-5 Mark II shoots 1080p video up to 60 frames per second. Additionally, it has a weather-sealed body with boxier lines and refashioned grip that makes it one of the best and must-have cameras of the year.
Sigma DP0 Quattro
Sigma is popular for its camera lens than its cameras, but it turned that image with the latest DP Quattro series last year at CP+ 2014. The wild design of the camera stole the show last year. Interestingly, Sigma launched a new model in 2015 that also made news. The Sigma DP0 Quattro pairs a 14 mm f/4 wide-angle lens with the identical APS-C Foveon sensor.
Fuji's selfie camera
Like the Panasonic’s Lumix GF7, the Fujifilm X-A2 is designed to be an accessible mirrorless camera choice for selfies. With an excellent autofocus performance and the flip-up screen, the Fujifilm X-A2 ensures clearest portraits possible. The X-A2 is compatible with Fujifilm's remarkable range of ultra-sharp lenses, but it does not use the X-Trans technology as other models. So, this amazing camera from Fujifilm lets you ditch the selfie stick and capture high-quality selfies on-the-go.
The vast array of fantastic cameras and its accessories from the best manufacturers of the world brought all photography enthusiasts on one single platform. These feature-filled camera gears will be soon up in the market grabbing attention from all across the world. So, make a smart choice and enhance the quality of your photography with this latest collection.