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Ode to my DSLR: Why I Love the Nikon D610

I used my Nikon D610 to take the last photograph of my mom before she died. I’ve documented my children’s lives nearly everyday. The rubber grip is wearing thin in spots. A rubber tab on the bottom is chronically flapping loose; my fingers push it back into place out of habit. This camera has become an extension of me, and I have grown to love it. But it has not always been that way.

I bought the Nikon D610 back in April 2015. I had been using a Nikon D5200 since 2013. I quickly learned that I loved taking photos. I was using the camera for a 365 project. It turned into two 365 projects. I was on camera sites everyday learning about camera settings and techniques. DigitalRev on YouTube in its heyday! I look back on those moments with great happiness, thinking about the joy of photography added to my life.

I had collected a few lenses with the D5200, and when I wanted to upgrade to a camera body that had more accessible external controls, the D610 was the logical choice for me. The Nikon D750 had recently come out – but it was over $1,000 more than the D610. So I purchased the D610. That was 5 years ago. But in those five years I’ve often thought of switching camera systems.

I watch a lot of photography channels on YouTube. I’m always seeing the new cameras, new lenses, and new firmware upgrades. Each video makes me rethink my camera choices. At times I feel intense gear acquisition syndrome – GAS. On two occasions I even posted my D610 on Kijiji. With all my lenses. But I could never bring myself to sell it. I’ve been tempted by the Fuji X-Series cameras, but more on that later.

I want to write this review to share with others what I love about this camera – or, more universally, any older DSLR – and show it’s possible to learn and grow with “older” cameras. As well, I want to solidify in my own mind the things I love about the camera.

I have come, through this experience with the D610, to appreciate having and growing with a single, durable, and capable camera body through years of daily use. I’ve learned to see cameras, rightly or wrongly, as medium-to-long term tools: a creative partner with whom you grow. Where the more you get to know your camera and it’s limitations, the more you get out of it, accomplishing your creative vision with as little resistance as possible. And whatever resistance is there, it becomes a means to push your own creative capabilities to flow like water around a rock in a stream.

Why Do I Still Use the D610?

It may sound obvious – but because it’s the camera I own. There’s something to be said about being grateful for the things you have, rather than lust after the ones you want. It’s not easy, though.

I have three young kids in daycare and before-and-after school care. As a result, I don’t have a lot of disposable income to spend on camera gear. So once I became invested in the Nikon system, I’ve been wedded to it. As well, some of my favorite lenses have been gifted to me. My wife bought me the 50mm 1.4 G for Father’s Day in 2014. She also bought me the 35mm 1.8 ED as an early Christmas gift in 2015. A few years later, we took a family day trip to Toronto so I could buy a used 85mm 1.8 G lens. Most recently, I picked up a 24mm 2.8 D for an absolute steal before heading out to the Canadian east coast for a summer camping trip. I have all the focal lengths I could want.

Once I started looking at my camera for what it is, and to actively be grateful to have it with me to document my life, it has helped me look at it with a new perspective. I appreciate the D610. I’m grateful for it. There are many who don’t have access to this kind of technology and equipment to further their creative photography efforts. I do, and I’m committed to using it to the fullest.

I have been working hard to experience a freedom from desire and want – freedom from desiring the new camera. Only then can I truly feel free and fulfilled. Shedding the mindset of “not enough” or wishing I had “more”. For me, this starts with loving the camera I have, being grateful for it, and not wanting another camera. of course it helps that it takes great quality photographs.

Image Quality

The second reason I love the Nikon D610 is the image quality. The D610 generates what are, to my eye, very pleasing and highly usable RAW files, with lots of detail, dynamic range and lovely colours. To this day, I encounter moments of surprise when reviewing my photos in Lightroom – surprise that the D610 is capable of such great image rendering, low light performance, and magic when hitting 3200 and 6400 ISO.

Since I’m often shooting in my living room, kitchen and kids’ bedrooms in the early hours and late evenings, the ambient light is often provided by artificial sources. I love the high ISO performance of the camera – there is some real magic when this 24 megapixel sensor reaches 6400 ISO.

FujiFilm X-T2, X100F and X70

I have owned a Fuji X70 for the past 3 years. I needed a smaller camera to compliment my larger DSLR system for a vacation I was planning. The X70 was perfect, and I fell in love with the camera, and it became my daily carry.

A couple of years later FujiFilm Canada had a promotion to raise awareness of their cameras and I got the opportunity to rent a body and two lenses over a weekend for free. Because I loved the X70 so much, and considered jumping into the Fujifilm system entirely, I jumped at the chance and rented the X-T2 and X100F separately over the course of a couple months. I paired the X-T2 with the 16mm 1.4 and 23mm 2.0 and loved the results.

There’s a reason the 16mm 1.4 is a highly touted lens of choice for many well known Fuji shooters. It’s a beautiful performer, invites you to engage in some really creative shooting, and I loved the all metal feel and ergonomics of both lenses.

X100F

I loved the handling of the cameras, particularly the X-T2. The weight of the X100F actually surprised me, and made me think twice about using this camera as a daily carry, to replace my FujiFilm X70. But one thing was sure, the photos were excellent. I was able to get the results I wanted from these cameras, and they freed me up to work for tougher and more creative shots.

The files were great, but in my eyes, they didn’t provide the high ISO performance and the subjective magic feel of the D610 sensor.

X-T2

My heart loved the Fujis, but my mind couldn’t give up the idea of losing the D610 images. I really do wonder at times if I’m being too nitpicky about the image quality “compromise” of the Fujifilm system.

Having a smaller camera and lenses is really appealing; being able to have a portable interchangeable lens camera system to bring with me more places where I want more focal range versatility than what my Fuji X70 can provide is appealing. The concept of “good enough” is not lost on me, and when I really stop, pause, and review the Fujifilm X-T2 and X100F files, they certainly do seem “good enough”.

But I have a subjective preference for the slight, but noticeable to my eye, benefits of the D610.

Autofocus

Even the shortcomings of the camera, including the low light autofocus and small number of autofocus points being clustered in the middle of the viewfinder, can be overcome with creative workarounds. Finding some high contrast focus point close to where you want in focus, or grabbing the focus ring to get the shot work, and I’ve gotten better at manual focussing, which has been a lot of fun to learn.

I’m often trying to capture fast-moving kids, so I need to use a fast shutter speed of at least 125, and naturally need focus to nail quickly – so manual focus is a great way to try and get my shots, and autofocus of course when possible.

This is where I get tempted to pick up a mirrorless full-frame autofocusing monster like a Sony a7 III. I’ve even been tempted by the Nikon Z6 since its autofocus and low light performance seem quite good, and an improvement over the D610. But I’m not wild about the idea of shooting the Z6 with the FTZ adapter. Ergonomics mean a lot to me, and for some reason, shooting adapted lenses seems like a less than ideal solution, although I’m sure the end product would be quite good. I’m not sold on the long term viability of the Z Series, and I think that is what’s holding me back from jumping in (that, and my limited budget of course!).

What Does the Future Hold?

What I like about having shot the past 5 years with the Nikon D610 is that the camera has held up decently under some tough wear and nearly daily use. Sure, the rubber is thinning and looks used, but it has a certain fit with my hand and grip, and feels like an extension of me now. I’m going to need to replace it sometime in the next year I’m guessing, and I’m doing some thinking about what I’m going to replace it with.

Nikon Options

Do I stay with Nikon and continue using my excellent collection of fast primes? Sounds like a great option that would save me from having to buy all new lenses. I love the idea of picking up a used Nikon Df. I love the D4 sensor in the camera, and the physical control knobs really give me the idea that I would be finding a permanent partner for my F-mount Nikon glass. If I were to pick up the Df, it would be with me for life – I couldn’t imagine ever selling that camera. This approach would also ensure that I’m able to keep the lenses that have been gifted to me.

While there are times I think about selling the whole kit, the nostalgia and sentimental element of keeping these lenses is satisfied by keeping them. I can live with the autofocus of the Df, and the low light performance that I would take advantage of shooting indoors as I do would be magic. So tempting!

I also consider picking up a used or new Nikon D750. I love the ergonomics and deep grip, and the body of the D750 has a more premium and tighter feel than the D610 and I would be happy to use this camera. I like the idea of the flippy screen, but without quick and reliable autofocus in live view I don’t see the utility of it as I would with a flip screen on a mirrorless camera. The improved autofocus, particularly in low light, is a big selling feature for me, but the autofocus points remain clustered around the centre of the viewfinder, which will require me to focus and recompose which I want to avoid having to do, to capture the fast-moving kids I have!

That leaves the Nikon Z6. I could adapt all my lenses except the 24mm 2.8 D, which wasn’t too expensive, so not too much of a loss, but the need to adapt my lenses for the foreseeable future isn’t an idea I’m wild about, despite the autofocus gains I would get, along with the ability to autofocus using the flip screen while looking down at the waist, which I’ve really loved doing since getting used to this on the Fuji X70.

Fujifilm Options

I would turn to Fujifilm as the next preferred photography option. I love my X70 and the rangefinder style. I’ve had eyes for some time on the Fuji X-E3 – small, light and same sensor and processor as the previous generation flagships of the X-T2 and X-Pro2. The X-E3 doesn’t have the flip screen, which is unfortunate, since I’ve long loved using one, but the other compromises for size make up for it.

I would want a Fujifilm camera that would provide the same ruggedness as my D610 and can stand the test of time. I don’t want a camera body that will give me troubles – I’ve heard some build quality concerns of the X-T2 over time, and while that would be a great lower cost option, that makes me think twice. It had the flip screen so that’s a nice feature, and something the X-Pro2 doesn’t have. Otherwise, this leaves me thinking the X-Pro3 might be a great option – I see the dura-finish options providing some additional durability over time, which is exactly what I want, and with the flip screen hidden, my roughness with my cameras and back-LCD screen bashing would be mitigated somewhat by this feature.

Writing my thoughts for my D610 review, and thinking about what might be next for me, left me thinking about cameras more than I prefer to do – it triggers within me a feeling that I “need” to buy another camera. I don’t like this feeling! Keeping focused on the D610 and the art of photography is what brings me joy, not chasing the newer and faster and prettier.

Canon EOS M50 Mark II: everything we know so far

The Canon EOS M50 is one of the best beginner mirrorless cameras around, particularly as its price tag is considerably lower than when it first launched in early 2018.

But time waits for no camera and the first early rumors of an EOS M50 II (which could also be called the M60) have started swirling.

Its release is likely to be some way off given what we know about the life cycles of Canon EOS M cameras, and we still think the Canon EOS M50 remains a solid choice for stills shooters right now.

The rumors do, though, suggest an EOS M50 II will bridge the specs and features gap to the more recent Canon EOS M6 Mark II, while retaining features like the electronic viewfinder and vari-angle screen that set it apart from other EOS M cameras. Here’s everything we know about it so far.

Release date and price

The original Canon EOS M50 came out in February 2018, so it’s nearing its two-year birthday. Despite its relative age, the latest whispers from Canon Rumors suggest an EOS M50 Mark II won’t be announced until September 2020.

Still, that fits the release schedule of other EOS M cameras like the EOS M6, which was succeeded around two-and-a-half years after its release by the EOS M6 Mark II.

There are no rumors about pricing for the M50 Mark II yet. Like the current model, it’ll sit below the flagship Canon EOS M6 Mark II, which costs $850 / £870 / AU$850. The original EOS M50 cost $680 / £540 / AU$780 when it launched, so a price around that ballpark seems likely (or perhaps slightly more, given its improved specs).

Given that the Mark II isn’t likely to be available until later in 2020, the original EOS M50 remains a good buy at its current discounted price, as long as you’re prepared to accept its 4K video-related limitations. That price could be reduced even further during Black Friday, so keep an eye out for deals on our best Black Friday Camera deals hub.

Specs and features

So far, the latest whispers from Canon Rumors have only produced some basic possible specs for the EOS M50 Mark II.

These include a new 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor, which feels like a given given its inclusion in the more recent EOS M6 Mark II. That sensor gives you a big resolution boost over the 24.1MP EOS M50, which means greater potential for cropping your shots.

The rumors also suggest the M50 Mark II will have a Digic 8 processor, which is the same one as the current model. The EOS M50 was actually the first camera with this processor, so it’s possible Canon will be able to squeeze more performance out of it in the Mark II. The flagship EOS M6 Mark II, for example, can shoot at 14fps with continuous autofocus, slightly more than the M50’s 10fps maximum.

Still, we’d ideally like to see the EOS M50 Mark II powered by the Digic 9 processor that could make its debut in the Canon EOS 1DX Mark III. That would really make it a little powerhouse of an APS-C camera, though it’s possible Canon might save this for its higher end models.

Perhaps the most interesting rumors revolve around the M50 Mark II video shooting capabilities. This is currently one of the EOS M50’s main weaknesses, given it can only shoot 4K with a 1.6x crop and at 24p or 25p. It seems like the EOS M50 II, though, will be boosted to much more respectable uncropped 4K / 30p mode, will Full HD shooting at a slo-mo 120p.

This is a particularly big deal for the M50 because its vari-angle screen makes it well-suited to vlogging. A major downside of the current model’s cropped 4K video is that it makes it difficult to film at arms length or in tight spaces. But getting close to matching the EOS M6 Mark II’s video quality would make it a much better all-rounder for those who have a mixed shooting diet of both stills and video.

The rumors suggest that vari-angle screen will remain a 3-inch, 1.04-million dot affair, but there have been no leaks yet about upgrades to the electronic viewfinder (EVF), autofocus or battery life, which was another limitation on the EOS M50. The EOS M50 Mark II will hopefully go beyond 235 shots per charge, or at least give us in-camera USB-C charging.

Design

There haven’t yet been any leaks showing the possible design of the EOS M50 Mark II yet, though a recent patent suggests Canon may have found a way to make its mirrorless full-frame and APS-C cameras a little smaller.

As Canon News pointed out, the patent shows a design that moves the shutter motor from its traditional position next to the battery compartment to beneath the shutter assembly. This could allow Canon to make the EOS M50 Mark II a little smaller, though it won’t be a drastic change given the current M50 is already lighter than the EOS M6 Mark II and needs room for that viewfinder.

Canon cameras are renowned for their considered handling and it’s unlikely to make the EOS M50 Mark II too small at the expense of its ability to balance out longer lenses like the EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM.

It’s early days for Canon EOS M50 Mark II rumors, so that’s all we have for now. We’ll update this page regularly with more rumors as soon as they surface, so stay tuned.

This new smartwatch could be your next great health tool

OMRON Healthcare is launching the first clinically validated, wearable blood pressure monitor in the form of a new smartwatch called HeartGuide.

In addition to being the number one brand recommend by cardiologists in Europe, the company is delivering its mission of “Going for Zero” compromise when it comes to cardiovascular health with the European launch of its innovative new device.

HeartGuide is now available direct to consumers across the UK, Germany, Italy and France though OMRON Healthcare plans to release the device in more European countries at a later date.

Senior general manager at OMRON Healthcare, Andre Van Gils explained why HeartGuide’s ability to constantly monitor a user’s blood pressure can help doctors and patients win the fight against hypertension, saying:

“The No. 1 contributing risk factor for global death is raised blood pressure – causing strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications. 1 in 3 people in the world suffers from hypertension, and only 50% of those who are affected are actually aware of their condition. As a result, 10 million lives are lost needlessly every year. However, with lifestyle change and proper monitoring of the cardiovascular state of health, 80% of these deaths might be preventable. Recent research conducted by OMRON Healthcare, found that only 26% of the people diagnosed with hypertension in Europe measure their blood pressure weekly and 11% daily – and this needs to change.”

HeartGuide

OMRON’s HeartGuide is the first wearable blood pressure monitor available in the form of a wrist watch and the company filed more than 80 new patents to create the device which includes the miniaturized components of traditional oscillometric measurement devices.

The device works in the same way that blood pressure cuffs do and it uses an inflatable cuff within the watch band to take a blood pressure reading. This sets HeartGuide apart from other health-focused smartwatches which rely on sensor technology that can only provide blood pressure estimates.

Users can expect to charge the new wearable approximately two to three times a week depending on how often they use HeartGuide’s features.

In addition to measuring a user’s blood pressure, HeartGuide can also show incoming notifications as well as track steps, calories burned and distance walked. The device even monitors sleep activity such as when a user falls asleep to provide them with a more comprehensive picture of their heart health.

A Look at the Insane Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens is extreme in every conceivable measurement — from optics to price. Does that crazy price deliver image quality to match? This fun first look video takes a peek at the monster lens and just what it is capable of.

Coming to you from Kai W, this first look video examines the Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens. The 58mm f/0.95 both captured the imaginations of photographers and earned some criticism for its stratospheric design and price when it first came out, with some saying it was entirely impractical and others interested in what could be accomplished with it. This certainly is not the first lens of its kind on paper; there have been 50mm f/0.95 designs for decades, and Canon even made a 50mm f/1.0L lens with autofocus in the 1980s and 1990s (the Nikon 58mm is manual focus only), but aside from Leica’s $11,000 50mm f/0.95 lens, Nikon’s lens is the only one that aspires not just to have an extreme aperture, but to have top-notch image quality wide open, thus the crazy price tag. Check out the video above for Kai’s full thoughts on the lens.

Fujifilm X-Pro 3: A Personal Review of a Personal Camera

There is no getting away from it: Fujifilm’s decision to implement a “hidden LCD” on their brand new Fujifilm X-Pro3 camera was always going make this a divisive camera. The question is: has Fujifilm created such a niche camera as to make it unusable? After using the camera extensively for the past couple of weeks, here is my purely personal take on this very personal camera.

The Same, but Different

As the naming convention would suggest, the X-Pro3 is the third iteration of Fujifilm’s rangefinder style camera. It builds not only on the success of previous versions of the same model, but also upon other models from their X Series line of cameras.

It uses exactly the same 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans 4 sensor found on the Fujifilm X-T3 and Fujifilm X-T30. So much has been written about this sensor that there is no need to repeat it all again here. Suffice to say, the X-Trans sensor has so matured over the years; you just know it will produce simply fabulous photographs.

The hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder found in the Fujifilm X-Pro2 and Fujifilm X100F is back, this time with a few incremental improvements. The X-Pro3 also uses the same menu system as the other cameras in the X-Series range, meaning existing users will immediately feel at home. Even the NP-W126S batteries are exactly the same as used on the X-T3, X-T30, X100F, and so on.

So far, the same. Where this camera really starts to get interesting is where the X-Pro3 differs from its sibling cameras.

That “Hidden” LCD

So, let’s just deal with the elephant in the room, the hidden LCD screen. Instead of the forward-facing, fixed screen of previous versions, the X-Pro3 features a 180-degree, flip-down LCD monitor, which hides away behind the back panel when not in use.

In its place, Fujifilm has implemented a small, forward-facing, sub monitor reminiscent of the top display of the Fujifilm X-H1. By default, the sub monitor displays the current film simulation, a clear nod to the old practice of slipping a piece 35mm film packaging into the back of the camera as a reminder of which film had been loaded. it’s a nice touch, but personally, I quickly changed this to display common camera and exposure information, which I found more useful.

I must admit, I had some initial reservations about the hidden LCD. With this camera, Fujifilm clearly want to take away as many distractions as possible, allowing photographers to really engage in the moment. How many photographers this will appeal to remains to be seen, but I have to say that after using the camera for a while, I have really enjoyed the shooting experience it brings.

That experience hasn’t been without a few hiccups though. It definitely took me a while to get used to having to open up the LCD, especially when using the menu system. I am so used to pressing the menu button and looking at the screen that I often did the same with the X-Pro3, only to find myself staring at the little sub monitor instead of a menu system. I did this enough that I kind of wish Fujifilm would just allow the menu to be displayed on the sub monitor. Maybe this is something for a future firmware update.

In use, I actually prefer prefer the way the screen opens on the X-Pro3 compared to the X-T3, especially for shooting down low or from the hip. This is mainly due to the physical design of the two cameras. The viewfinder of the X-T3 sticks out quite a way, partially obscuring the LCD, especially at 90 degrees. The viewfinder of the X-Pro3, on the other hand, is much more flush to the body, allowing the entire screen to be seen.

Where I found the design of the LCD did get in the way was when I mounted the camera onto a tripod. With the flip down nature of the articulation, the tripod restricted the range motion of the screen was able to achieve, limiting it to not much more than 90 degrees, which was a bit annoying.

Truth be told, though: I didn’t find the lack of a forward-facing LCD to be an issue, and within a day or two, I wasn’t missing the screen at all.

Design

There is no doubt about it: the X-Pro3 is a beautiful camera. Reminiscent of the rangefinder cameras of old, its minimalist design lends itself to the nostalgic experience of shooting with an X-Series camera.

In the hand, the X-Pro3 feels very well balanced, helped by a slightly redesigned grip to improve the overall handling. This is very much enhanced by the tactile nature of the exposure dials, which I love, although I recognize many other photographers dislike.

Beauty aside, this is a really tough camera. With a body made of magnesium and top and bottom plates made of titanium, this camera will likely laugh in the face of any amount of abuse you care to throw at it. Anyone wanting absolute maximum protection can opt for the optional Duratect coating, which comes with a slight price bump but makes the X-Pro3 practically impossible to scratch. Add to that the obligatory weather-sealing you would expect of any 2019 camera, and you have a camera that nobody is going to worry much about being thrown in and out of a camera bag on a rainy day.

The X-Pro3 brings with it quite a few changes to the button layout of previous versions. Most noticeably, the D-pad has been removed. It’s a decision which seems to have annoyed quite a few users. Realistically though, this is the direction Fujifilm has been moving in for a while in their pursuit of the cleanest possible design. Given that every button on the camera can now be customized to suit individual user preference — even the Q menu button is no longer locked to the Q menu — I didn’t find the loss of the D-pad to be an issue.

Talking of the Q menu, this has now been updated to not only allow the ability to customize what each menu tile does, but also how many tiles to display. I really like this. I always found the fixed 12 tile Q menu layout to be a little too crowded and usually set most of the tiles to be empty. Now, I can chose to display as few as four and as many as 16 items on the Q menu. The Q Menu can also be set against either the standard black background or a new transparent background, which allows adjustments to be viewed in real-time. In use, I found these tweaks to make the menu much more useful.

Shooting Experience

The X-Pro3 introduces a number of new or improved processing options. In-camera HDR, the ability to tweak clarity, and to adjust highlights and shadows using a single tone curve setting are all welcome additions. A new “Classic Neg” color profile joins the existing lineup of film simulations that are so popular with Fujifilm shooters. I’m sure it won’t take long for Classic Neg to make its way to other X Series cameras via a firmware update, but for now, the X-Pro3 is the only camera to feature this new simulation.

Autofocusing has always been excellent with Fujifilm cameras, and the X-Pro3 is no different. Face and eye detection work well, and improved phase detection allows focusing in light conditions as low as -6 EV. That’s crazy dark. I wasn’t able to fully test the veracity of that claim, but certainly, I was able to autofocus in conditions that the X-Pro2 couldn’t have handled. Overall though, I found autofocus ability of X-Pro3 wasn’t quite up to that of the X-T3, but in practice, the difference between the two was marginal.

When it comes to video, it’s probably fair to say this is an area where the performance of the X-Pro3 is less than stellar. Sure, the X-Pro3 can shoot around 15 minutes worth of 4K, 30p, 200 Mbps video, but let’s be honest, nobody is going to want to shoot anything but b-roll with this camera, and even thenn only at a push. No, this is a stills camera through and through, and it is shooting stills photography where this camera comes alive.

As cliché as it sounds, some cameras just make you want to go out and shoot more, and the X-Pro3 is exactly one of those cameras. While I absolutely love my X-T3, the shooting experience with the X-Pro3 just seemed to feel that much more connected.

Conclusions

So, where does that leave us? We know the X-Pro3 was always going to be a fabulous camera. The X-Series ecosystem has matured so much over the years, and Fujifilm knows how to build a camera, so the quality of this camera was never in doubt. The real question is: who it is being aimed at?

Fujifilm claims their design intention with the hidden LCD was to encourage a more traditional style of shooting, allowing photographers to stay in the moment rather than constantly chimping their images after each shot. Personally, I am not sure how much I buy that explanation. Experienced photographers, especially the street and documentary photographers this camera is largely aimed at, will likely not be in the habit of excessively chimping. And less experienced photographers will probably not be buying this camera in the first place. So, it seems to be a solution to a problem that didn’t really exist.

Rather, I believe the choice to implement the hidden LCD was made to achieve one clear objective: to differentiate the X-Pro3 from all the other cameras on the market. It should be remembered that when the X-Pro range first launched back in 2012, the mirrorless market was decidedly sparse. Today, that market has become very crowded indeed, with every manufacturer offering at least one serious mirrorless system.

With three flagship products within their own lineup, not to mention all the other cameras on offer from other manufacturers, Fujifilm had to take some bold steps if they want the X-Pro range to establish (and maintain) its own personality. With this update, they have done exactly that, squarely positioning this as the camera for the photography purists.

Personally, I love the design choices Fujifilm has made with this X-Pro3. As a travel and documentary photographer, I fall exactly within the target audience of this camera. I almost never use a touchscreen, I rarely frame my photographs using an LCD, and I much prefer the discrete look and feel of this camera over some of the flashier alternatives. So, for me, the minimalist design and the backward-facing LCD are very attractive features. I totally understand that many other photographers will totally disagree with me, and that’s ok.

The X-Pro3 isn’t a camera for everyone; it is now very much a niche camera. Those it appeals to will absolutely love it, and for those who want a different experience, Fujifilm (and all the other camera manufacturers) has plenty of other options. As photographers, we should all welcome having so much choice.

What I Like:

Beautifully designed, well-constructed body.

Hybrid OVF/EVF allowing flexibility of both systems.

The hidden LCD.

High level of button customization.

What I Didn’t Like:

Limited articulation of the LCD when used with a tripod.

Battery life could be improved.

Lack of menu display on the sub monitor.

Two new Canon EOS M mirrorless cameras could be announced in 2020

Canon has been busy this year, what with the launch of the EOS 90D and EOS M6 Mark II. And going by the latest rumors, 2020 will be even busier for the Japanese camera maker.

We already know that the pro-sports EOS 1D X Mark III DSLR will be announced early next year, but Canon Rumors is reporting that two more crop sensor mirrorless cameras will be added to the company’s growing line-up in 2020.

One of them is rumored to be a 24MP APS-C snapper that will come with eye-detect autofocus and Canon’s tried-and-tested superb Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus technology (which increases AF speed and accuracy in live view mode) available on a 3-inch vari-angle rear touchscreen.

Canon Rumors goes even further to put a price tag of $849 for a kit with a lens for this rumored EOS M camera, which will reportedly be announced in “before July 2020”.

A new mirrorless marvel?

The EOS M50 was the first Canon camera to debut the Digic 8 processor, giving this entry-level mirrorless snapper plenty of power. No wonder it soon became one of our favorite affordable mirrorless cameras.

Although it was launched only in 2018, Canon Rumors reports that the second EOS M camera to launch in 2020 will likely be a refresh of the M50. With the EOS M6 Mark II already boasting a 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the same make its way into the EOS M50 Mark II.

While Canon Rumors lists the Digic 8 imaging engine as accompanying the higher resolution sensor, we’d love to see the Digic 9 (which could be debuted in the EOS 1D X Mark III) make its way to the newer version of the M50, giving the rumored CSC (compact system camera) a massive boost in performance.

If the other rumored specs of the M50 Mark II have any element of truth to them, then we’re likely going to see the upcoming camera capable of 4K video recording at both 24fps and 30fps, with Full HD (1080p) capture at up to 120fps. The rear touchscreen will reportedly be a 3-inch vari-angle panel with 1,040K-dot resolution.

If a refresh of the EOS M50 is truly in the cards, Canon Rumors says it will be announced some time in September 2020. So don’t get too excited just yet, as these are still rumors and things can change between now and then.

In the meantime, we’ve rounded up the best mirrorless cameras you can buy in 2019

MIREADER, FIRST-EVER XIAOMI E-BOOK READER, NOW OFFICIAL

A few days back, Xiaomi teased the launch of their first-ever eBook Reader launch for today. As per the schedule, the new product called MiReader is now official for the initial crowdfunding price of 579 Yuan(~$82) with better specifications than the competition. It will retail for 599 Yuan(~$85) after the termination of the crowdfunding period.

The all-new Xiaomi eBook reader surprisingly runs on Android 8.1 Oreo with support for a number of contents including books, comics, documents and other readable materials. It supports almost all kind of extensions such as EPUB, PDF, DOC, TXT and plenty others. Talking about the elephant in the room, the MiReader comes equipped with a 6-inch HD E-ink display with 212 PPI at the front. Also, it features LED light to provide 24 levels of brightness covering 90% of the screen.

Under the hood, the device is powered by Allwinner B300 quad-core processor coupled with 1GB RAM and 16GB ROM which we feel is more than enough for an eBook Reader. Interestingly, it features a USB Type-C port to charge the non-removable 1,800mAh battery at the rate of 5V / 1.5A. The Reader measures 159.2 x 116 x 8.3mm in size and weighs 178 grams with a textured back for a better grip.

Honor Watch Magic 2 launch date confirmed – and we’ve got the first images

Honor is set to unveil its Watch Magic 2 smartwatch on November 26 in China, and more than a week ahead of the launch TechRadar can share some exclusive pictures of the smartwatch.

While they’re not hugely revealing, they show us enough about the upcoming wearable to give us a good idea of what to expect when it launches.

Something we can tell from the images is that the body of the Honor Watch Magic 2 has seen a re-design from its predecessor – the bezel looks to be thinner, and rises less from the screen of the watch.

This indicates a departure from the ‘classic’ look of a wristwatch, which many smartwatches mimic.

The Watch Magic 2 also looks more monochromatic than before, with the device all black (save a red ring on the crown, like in the original Watch Magic), and white text around the dial instead of pink like before.

Of course, this could be just the style of the one device TechRadar was shown, with other colored variants available at launch. It’s also possible this is a design decision to make the Watch Magic 2 look more sleek.

The strap also looks to be leather, like the Watch Magic, but again it’s monochromatic black, unlike the older device which had a brown leather strap with white cotton threads.

The images show the Honor Watch Magic 2 as a more modern-looking device, shirking the classic wristwatch look of old for a more decidedly ‘smartwatch’ feel. We don’t know much about the specs or internals of the device yet, but there’s not long to go until it’s officially unveiled.

That’s set to happen alongside the Honor V30 launch in China, which is happening in Beijing on November 26.

A Review of the Nikon Z 50 Camera

The Nikon Z 50 offers a sub-$1,000 entry point into Nikon’s mirrorless system in a compact and lightweight crop sensor body, making it an intriguing option for many photographers. This helpful review takes a look at the new camera to help you decide if it is a good choice for your work.

Coming to you from gabpolitely, this great review takes a look at the Nikon Z 50. The Z 50 offers a DX-fortmat 20.9-megapixel sensor with an ISO range of 100-51,200 (expandable to 204,800). It also includes an impressive continuous burst rate of 11 fps, with an option for shooting 8-megapixel images at 30 fps. Along with that is a 209-point autofocus system with Eye Detection AF. On the video side, the Z 50 sports UHD 4K 30p capabilities. The magnesium alloy body also features dust and weather resistance and is quite light at just a smidgen under 14 oz (395 g). Of course, to get the camera down to its impressive price point, some compromises had to be made, but altogether, it looks to be an impressive piece of kit at a very reasonable cost, making it an intriguing option for many Nikon shooters. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

Microsoft: Xbox Scarlett will kick PlayStation 5’s ass in perf/price

The fight for console dominance is going to really kick off in 2020, as Microsoft doesn’t want to behind in any sense of the word with the new generation of consoles. Microsoft plans to use its Xbox Scarlett to well and truly kick some Sony ass with its right-now-way-more-hyped PlayStation 5 console.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently talked with The Verge, where he talked about Project Scarlett and said: “I would say a learning from the Xbox One generation is we will not be out of position on power or price. If you remember the beginning of this generation we were a hundred dollars more expensive and, yes, we were less powerful. And we started Project Scarlett with this leadership team in place with a goal of having market success”.

Spencer continued, saying that Microsoft had talked internally about whether they would do another generation of consoles “years ago”. He added that he personally thinks there will be more generations of consoles post-Scarlett, saying: “We’re all-in on Project Scarlett and I want to compete, and I want to compete in the right ways which is why we’re focused on cross-play and backward compatibility”.

There you have it — Microsoft knows it was too expensive, and too slow, with Xbox One — and the company won’t repeat that mistake with Xbox Scarlett and its 2020 and beyond battle with Sony’s next-gen PlayStation 5. It’s no surprise, since Microsoft has been teasing it will be pulling no punches with Xbox Scarlett against the PS5 for a while now.