The New Canon CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP and CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP Cinema Lenses

Canon has announced two new zoom lenses in its Cinema Lenses family: The CN-E15.5-47 mm T2.8 L S/SP wide-angle cinema zoom lens (available in EF and PL mount versions) and The CN-E30-105 mm T2.8 L S/SP telephoto cinema zoom lens (also available in EF and PL mount versions). These lenses join the ranks of other Canon Cinema lenses that are engineered to serve the high-performance demands of the production community. Engineered to work with 4K-resolution (4096 x 2160 pixels) cameras, these lenses surpass the performance requirements of any HD imaging system. They also offer compatibility with industry-standard Super 35mm-equivalent image format as well as APS-C-size sensors. That, plus the versatility of having both lenses offered in EF and PL mount versions provides great flexibility for a production, because it allows a choice of several different motion picture cameras instead of just one camera; options are always better.

Both of these lenses offer a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, allowing for use even in very low-lit scenes. And with no changes in brightness during zooming, these lenses enable attractive bokeh (the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light) when employing shallow depth of field. Additionally, these lenses both offer a very low minimum operating distance of 1.64’ (0.5m) for the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP and 2’ (0.6m) for the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP, making it possible for you to shoot tighter close-ups and assist in shooting in limited-space environments. This makes theses lenses an attractive option for a production that will be shooting in various locations both in the field and on stage.
Additionally, these lenses feature fluorite and large aspherical lens elements to achieve sharp, consistent images throughout their zoom range. This is beneficial because it offers the peace of mind that comes to a user who knows that the image will stay consistent and sharp throughout, eliminating the need to, as they say in the business, “fix it in post.” These lenses also are equipped with control rings designed to maintain the proper amount of resistance with consistent operating torque, and a covered flange-back adjustment mechanism to meet numerous production application needs. The 11-blade aperture diaphragm on both lenses ensures smooth out-of-focus areas (attractive bokeh), while innovative glass construction counteracts barrel expansion and contraction to avoid temperature-induced marking discrepancies. This feature will be very beneficial to all those productions that shoot on stage under bright, hot production lights. These lenses also incorporate geared inner focusing to minimize focus-induced changes in the angle of view, reducing focus breathing virtually to zero.
Even though these lenses offer great flexibility for a production by coming in both EF and PL mount versions, there is an advantage to utilizing the EF mount versions with the Canon Cinema EOS camera systems. The EF-mount version lenses, when combined with Cinema EOS System cameras, support lens-camera communication, enabling the recording of zoom and other settings along with video data, making possible the effective management of shooting conditions.

The New Sony HDR-AS10 & HDR-AS15 HD Action Camcorders Combine Quality Optics & Rugged Design

Sony has finally announced a pair of compact, rugged Full HD camcorders for point-of-view (POV) action sports videography. As this corner of the camcorder market continues to grow, we knew it would only be a matter of time until Sony offered a viable contender. The Sony HDR-AS10 and HDR-AS15 are basically the same camera with one exception: the HDR-AS15 provides Wi-Fi capability. This means that Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones and tablets that are equipped with Sony’s free PlayMemories Mobile app can pull optimized movies and photos from the HDR-AS15 without a cable. Once video is copied to your mobile device, you can use its 3G or 4G mobile broadband connection to email movies to friends and family or upload your footage to social media sites.

Both the HDR-AS10 and the HDR-AS15 are designed for shooting in mountains, water or anywhere else you practice an extreme sport. They’re ideal for skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, motocross, skydiving, mountain biking—even bungee jumping. These lightweight and rugged wearable action camcorders weigh only 3.2 ounces (90 g) and they record at resolutions up to Full HD 1920 x 1080p at 30 frames per second (fps). They also support other shooting modes including a 2x and 4x Slow Motion Video Mode. The 2x Slow Motion Mode supports 1280 x 720p HD resolution video capture at 60 fps. The 4x Slow Motion Mode supports 1280 x 720p HD resolution video capture at an amazing 120 fps. Having 120 frames per second to break down video frame by frame makes the 4x Slow Motion Mode a valuable tool for both movie making and review of your tricks, line, form and technique.
Sony includes a rugged waterproof housing with each camera. The housing has a universal tripod mount and is waterproof to a depth of 197 feet (60 m). It is also dirt and dust resistant, which makes the camera nearly impervious to mud, snow, rain, sand and grime. Both cameras also feature two adhesive mounts that attach securely to most flat and curved surfaces. With the waterproof housing, included mounts, different shooting modes and soon-to-be-available optional mounts, these action camcorders will excel when shooting extremem sports in virtually any environment.

The HDR-AS10 and HDR-AS15 are both equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with an ultra-wide 170° viewing angle. They also have back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensors, which offer superb low-light performance and support Full HD video. To compensate for camera shake that’s typical when shooting POV action for extreme sports, Sony outfitted both models with SteadyShot Image Stabilization with Active Mode, which uses an innovative 3-way shake-canceling function to reduce blur caused by camera shake.

Other convenient features shared by the HDR-AS10 and HDR-AS15 include Press-n-Go recording, HDMI connectivity and a built-in stereo microphone for capturing high-quality audio to go along with the Full HD video. The Press-n-Go recording function allows you to press a large Start/Stop button just once to begin recording, and the HDMI output lets you display your footage on a large HDTV screen in 1080p Full HD resolution. The two cameras are also outfitted with a Memory Stick Micro and microSD/SDHC memory card slot for recording directly onto a memory card, which you can remove and insert into your computer for editing and sharing movies on the Internet.
No other action camcorder available combines Carl Zeiss optics with a rugged exterior that welcomes mud, snow and water. So if you’re as serious about capturing quality video as you enjoy your sport of choice, then the HDR-AS15 and HDR-AS10 should definitely be considered. Plus, the included waterproof housing and optional mounting possibilities make these two Sony action camcorders flexible and rugged enough for any action sport under any conditions.
      Sony HDR-AS10     Sony HDR-AS15
Type     POV Action Cam     POV Action Cam
Waterproof     To 197' (60 m) with waterproof housing     To 197' (60 m) with waterproof housing
Shockproof     Yes     Yes
Dustproof     Yes     Yes
Sensor     1/2.3" (7.77 mm) back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor     1/2.3" (7.77 mm) back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor
Processor     BIONZ image processor     BIONZ image processor
Pixel Gross     16800K pixels (16:9)     16800K pixels (16:9)
Effective Pixels     11900 pixels (16:9)     11900 pixels (16:9)
Color Filter System     RGB primary color filters     RGB primary color filters
Lens Type     Carl Zeiss Tessar Lens     Carl Zeiss Tessar Lens
Aperture     F2.8     F2.8
Focal Length (35 mm Equivalent)     15.3 mm     15.3 mm
Minimum Focusing Distance     11.8" (30 cm)     11.8" (30 cm)
Angle of View     170° (without SteadyShot); 120° (with SteadyShot)     170° (without SteadyShot); 120° (with SteadyShot)
Focal Distance     2.5 mm (21.3 mm with SteadyShot Mode Active)     2.5 mm (21.3 mm with SteadyShot Mode Active)
Media Type     Memory Stick Micro; MicroSD/SDHC (Class 4 or higher)     Memory Stick Micro; MicroSD/SDHC (Class 4 or higher)
Still Image File Format     JPEG     JPEG
Still Image Max Resolution     2MP     2MP
Video Format     MPEG4-AVC/H.264     MPEG4-AVC/H.264
Video Resolutions     1920 x 1080/30p (HQ)
1280 x 720/30p/60p/120p (STD/SLOW/SSLOW)
640 x 480/30p (VGA)     1920 x 1080/30p (HQ)
1280 x 720/30p/60p/120p (STD/SLOW/SSLOW)
640 x 480/30p (VGA)
Movie Recording Rate (Average Bit Rate / VBR)     16 Mbps (HQ)
24 Mbps (SSLOW)
12 Mbps (SLOW)
6 Mbps (STD)
3 Mbps (VGA)     16 Mbps (HQ)
24 Mbps (SSLOW)
12 Mbps (SLOW)
6 Mbps (STD)
3 Mbps (VGA)
Audio Format     MPEG-4 AAC-LC (2ch)     MPEG-4 AAC-LC (2ch)
Built-In Microphone     Yes     Yes
Built-In Speaker     Yes (monoral)     Yes (monoral)
Shutter Speed     1/30-1/10,000     1/30-1/10,000
Metering Modes     Multi-Segment     Multi-Segment
Exposure Settings     Auto     Auto
Noise Reduction     Yes     Yes
White Balance Mode     Auto     Auto
Minimum Illumination     6 lux     6 lux
Backlight Compensation     Yes (auto)     Yes (auto)
Gain Control     Auto     Auto
Wi-Fi     No     Yes (802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz band)
HDMI Output     Yes (micro)     Yes (micro)
USB Ports     Yes (micro-B USB 2.0)     Yes (micro-B USB 2.0)
BRAVIA Sync     Yes     Yes
Microphone Input     Yes (stereo mini-jack)     Yes (stereo mini-jack)
Image Stabilization     SteadyShot with Active Mode     SteadyShot with Active Mode
Interval Recording     Yes (5, 10, 30 or 60 sec)     Yes (5, 10, 30 or 60 sec)
Display Panel     Yes     Yes
Power Consumption     1.7W     1.7W
Power Requirements     3.6V (battery pack)     3.6V (battery pack)
Battery Type     NP-BX1 (supplied)     NP-BX1 (supplied)
Charging Time     4.1 hrs     4.1 hrs
Dimensions (WxHxD)     1.0 x 1.9 x 3.2" (24.5 x 47 x
82 mm)     1.0 x 1.9 x 3.2" (24.5 x 47 x
82 mm)
Weight (Camera Only)     2 oz (65 g)     2 oz (65 g)