What Camera Manufacturers Need to Learn from Fuji. Fujifilm has just announced yet another set of “Kaizen” firmware updates that will soon be available for the Fuji X- T2 and Fuji X- Pro. This is a major firmware upgrade release consisting of a total of 3. It is nice to be able to go back to a camera and discover new things you can do with it – almost creates a feeling of owning something entirely new. After seeing the announcement (the details of which are provided at the end of the article), I thought about other camera manufacturers and what they could learn from Fuji. X- T2 + XF1. 0- 2. F4 R OIS @ 1. 7. 4mm, ISO 2. 08/22/2017: Check Out Our Latest How To Guide: How to Make a GIF. 08/20/2017: Legendary Biotar 75/f1.5 Lens is Making a Comeback Thanks to Kickstarter! News; Camera rumors 2017: the biggest and best camera rumors around; Camera rumors 2017: the biggest and best camera rumors around. It’s really amazing to hear that the best Camera from Fuji isn’t out yet. According to Fujifilm Managers “when we announce our new telephoto prime Firmware updates might not seem like a big deal for some people, but they are very important for a number of reasons. Why Firmware Upgrades Matter. Let’s start off with a question – when Apple or Google release major OS updates for the phone or a tablet you bought a couple of years ago, does that make you excited? I am sure the answer is a definite “Yes” and that’s for a good reason: we love getting more life out of something we already own. The same experience takes place when we get a major upgrade to our computer’s operating system that introduces new features. And if we don’t have to pay for those new features, it creates a subliminal bond, which basically translates to two key words that marketers love: value and loyalty. Knowing that you can buy a product that will only get better overtime makes you feel good about your purchase, which in turn, transforms you to a repeat customer and ultimately – a fan. And that’s exactly how Fuji was able to grow a huge base of very loyal Fujifilm customers. Early on, the senior management of the company realized that if they make customer service top priority and fix any potential issues without releasing new gear or charging customers extra for those features, the company will win more customers in the long run. It has now been five years since the very first X- series camera was released and back then, many of us, including myself, were not very happy with the X system. In fact, my first review of the Fuji X- Pro. I remember rating it below “acceptable” – I even poked fun at the failures of the Fuji X- Pro. AF system. But in less than a year, Fuji transformed the camera into something completely different. So different, that I had to completely rewrite my Fuji X- Pro. In the past, I never had to do that with any other camera – the X- Pro. With each new camera release, I was getting more excited with what Fujifilm had to offer. So when the X- T1 was released, I made the decision to purchase the camera, as it suit my needs perfectly. Since then, Fuji has released a number of large firmware updates, making me feel good about my purchase. And each time I saw a firmware announcement, I would go back to my X- T1, update it, then play with the new features like I do when my i. Phone gets a brand spanking new i. OS update. In essence, that’s how a loyal Fuji fan is born every day. As I was writing my article on updating Nikon firmware, I realized just how boring those updates were. Since my Nikon D8. I never even cared to go back and flash the firmware on it – it has been running stock 1. Every time new firmware was released, all I saw was fixes for the things that I did not even give a damn about. No new features, nothing refreshing. Although I consider the Nikon D8. DSLR on the market today (maybe with the exception of the Pentax K- 1, although Nikon wins in the lens department), I somehow get more excitement from shooting my Fuji X- T1. As I explained in my Fuji X- T2 review, the camera I spent the most time with during the trip to New Zealand was the X- T2 – my D8. The rest of the time, the D8. And I am not the only person who feels this way – ask any Fuji X shooter who shoots with two systems and you will hear pretty consistent, similar feedback. Fuji goes out of the way to make their cameras a pleasure to shoot with and when you couple the great ergonomics with a very friendly user interface and continuous firmware upgrades, it does translate to an overall better experience. Fujifilm is helping make the world a better, healthier, and more interesting place. To learn more about what we’re about, please explore Innovation at the Fujifilm. Achievements The history of Fujifilm is a history of valuable innovation. Open Innovation Fujifilm's open innovation is about listening to the customer and innovating. ON1 Photo RAW 2017 Release Notes Version 2017.6 (Build 11.6.0.3844) Release Notes August 18th, 2017 ON1 Photo RAW 2017 is the lightning. Ryota Nonomiya is a successful businessman driven by money. When he learns that his biological son was switched with another child after birth, he must make a life. Directed by Sang-soo Hong. With Isabelle Huppert, Shahira Fahmy, Jang Mi Hee, Mi-hie Jang. About a part time high school teacher and writer. X- T2 + XF1. 0- 2. F4 R OIS @ 2. 4mm, ISO 8. Continuous Software Development Creates Loyalty. Firmware and software upgrades matter. Loyalty is extremely important for any company. Sadly, the big camera manufacturers like Canon, Nikon and Sony just don’t seem to give a damn. And that’s why they are losing customers every day. Many of our readers have completely switched from Nikon, Canon and Sony to Fuji in the past few years and most of them don’t regret it, praising not just the Fuji X- series cameras and lenses, but the value they get out of their cameras with ongoing firmware updates. That’s pretty remarkable, but it makes me wonder about the state of the industry today. Nikon is in trouble and going through massive restructuring of the company, despite its 1. Canon is not in great shape either – if it was not for their printing, document management and other profitable business solutions, the company would probably be going through similar restructuring as well. Sony is an electronics giant, so it does whatever it needs to do to make more money. But one pattern emerges among all three – they all seem to be far disconnected from their customers. What’s puzzling to me, is that they do not realize how easy it is to reach out to their customers. I have no problem contacting someone at Fujifilm and I always get an email response. Last night, I sent 1. Hasselblad X1. D- 5. I got a reply within an hour from the company, with most of my suggested fixes either on their way or “on the list” of fixes. That’s truly remarkable. When visiting large photography conventions like Photo Plus, I get to talk to Fuji and Hasselblad executives and engineers, since they are on the floor, talking to their customers. Heck, I scored both interviews on the floor without prior appointments either! I have been attempting to talk to Nikon for the past 5+ years and all I get is a business card of a PR company that represents the company. I’m an NPS member and as many of our readers know, I write more about Nikon than any other brand on this website. I have never been contacted by anyone at Nikon. So when I see Nikon suffering today, I can see why – the patterns of a company that does not seem to give a damn are all there. X- Pro. 2 + XF5. 6mm. F1. 2 R APD @ 5. 6mm, ISO 2. Software Development Does Not Stop. I have been fortunate to have had a tremendous career in Information Technology. I have been involved in many projects and I have personally participated in writing software, and later on in my career, managing large software and ERP projects. To date, I still write quite a bit of code – I maintain PL completely by myself and I continuously make changes and customizations to the core code. Some of my code has been integrated into a number of Word. Press plugins, based on my feedback and modifications. So I do have quite a bit of experience when it comes to software development. Based on my experience, I must point out that software development is a continuous process – its lifecycle does not end with the release of a product. If you look at any industry today, you will see that software modifications and upgrades take place all the time. Microsoft is known for its “Patch Tuesday”, while other companies follow up with different methodologies and timing to deliver their updates. Even on your mobile phone, you see constant updates to apps and operating system. That’s just the world we live in – with so many apps and tools available at our disposal, if a company releases something new and never actively maintains it, customers get unhappy and abandon the product. A good example of terrible software practice is Nikon’s recently released Snap. Bridge – software that was supposed to bring Bluetooth integration to cameras like the Nikon D5. To say that it was an utter fail is an understatement. With a mere 1 star rating (which recently improved to 1. Tunes and a slightly better 2 star rating on Google Play, it makes me wonder what kind of software engineers the company hired to make software work that bad. Nikon recently released firmware updates for its cameras to make the software work a bit better, but it has been many months since the cameras like the D5. Snap. Bridge were released. Such poor timing does not benefit Nikon in any way. Sadly, Fuji’s Camera Remote app is not that far off either in its ratings, which shows that most camera manufacturers, including Fuji, have not gotten a good grasp of connectivity options and the world of app development. But that’s a topic for another day. And it should not be a one- off contract with a development company to make a single app! Ideally, software should either be developed in- house with proper resources, or it should be contracted out with a company that can provide continuous development and maintenance. It is a connected world out there and the sooner they all get on the same boat, the better. I can share my pictures on my i. Phone instantly – one should be able to do the same when shooting with an expensive camera. X- T2 + XF3. 5mm. F2 R WR @ 3. 5mm, ISO 2. Recycled Code. Now camera manufacturers might fight back with the above arguments, saying that ongoing software development is costly. That’s just a bunch of BS. Once software is written for a particular camera type, the same code can be recycled over and over again in the future iterations of the camera. When was the last time you saw a massive change in Nikon’s menu system? Do you think there is much difference in code between the Nikon D6. Nikon D8. 10? The truth is, there isn’t much difference. The cameras run similar processors, have similar RAM and ROM memory and the features you see on a Nikon D8. D6. 10, if only Nikon wanted to do it. How come the Nikon D8. D6. 10 does not? It is pure marketing. It probably cost more time for Nikon engineers to remove that feature from the D6. And sadly, we see similar patterns in many new camera releases. Camera rumors 2. 01. Fujifilm rumors 2. Fujifilm X7. 0FA new sensor and processing engine, plus an improved AF system look on the cards for Fujifilm's pocket premium compact camera. Predicted specs: 2. MP APS- C format sensor . Fujifilm has been working hard on improving the autofocus systems in its cameras, and this seems likely to continue, so we can expect the X7. F to focus more quickly than the X7. Fujifilm X- E3. A moderate update to Fujifilm affordable rangefinder- style mirrorless camera. Predicted specs: 2. MP APS- C format sensor . While one of the newer models, it's the odd- one- out when it comes to its sensor, utilising the ageing 1. MP chip, so we'd expect a X- E3 with a 2. MP sensor to fall into line with the rest of the range. AF is likely to be tweaked for snappier performance, while awe could see a touchscreen and 4. The Best Midrange Mirrorless Camera. This Micro Four Thirds camera can’t equal the best cameras with physically larger APS- C sensors when it comes to critical image quality, but it comes reasonably close if you’re shooting in good light. And no APS- C rival comes in a camera/lens package as compact as the E- M1. II. The camera’s retro- style controls, paired with a touchscreen and an exhaustive set of customization options, make the E- M1. II one of the better handling cameras in its class. The E- M1. 0 II not only takes great pictures, it is fast to acquire focus, locking onto subjects almost instantly with none of the wobble or focus- hunting we’ve often seen in older mirrorless cameras. Even when lower light levels force the AF (autofocus) system to slow a bit, its accuracy remains reliable, giving you confidence after every shutter press that you captured a sharp, crisp image. A robust image- stabilization system lets you get sharp handheld shots at shutter speeds up to five stops slower than you would with no stabilization. And because Olympus houses its image- stabilization system inside the camera itself—many camera makers build it into lenses—it’s available no matter which lens you use. And as a Micro Four Thirds camera, the E- M1. II is compatible with more than 7. The Fujifilm X- T2. For the extra size and cash, however, you get some of the best image quality of any mirrorless camera under $2,0. Its hybrid AF system is not only fast, but much better at locking focus on moving subjects in the central portion of the frame than our top pick. You can also capture 4. K video that, though lagging well behind the Panasonic Lumix DMC- G8. The X- T2. 0’s clearly identifiable dials and buttons are arranged in a logical, retro- style layout that invites you to pick up the camera and start shooting without a trip to the user’s manual. The X- T2. 0 is available in two distinct kit- lens bundles. We’re recommending you spend the extra money for the higher- end model of the two, because it includes the excellent XF 1. R LM OIS zoom lens. This lens lets in more light than any kit lens offered by Fuji’s rivals and delivers sharper images from corner to corner as well. The lens has a very impressive image- stabilization system that lets you shoot handheld at shutter speeds as long as one second and still get a usably sharp image. The X- T2. 0 will take up more space in your camera bag than our top pick, a difference that will only grow as you invest in more lenses, as Fujifilm lenses are physically larger than the equivalent Micro Four Third lenses. But if class- leading image quality is your primary goal or you regularly shoot in moderate to low light, you can’t do much better than the X- T2. With its bulbous, DSLR- style shape, the Panasonic Lumix DMC- G8. But it shines in the video- shooting department. It captures broadcast- quality 4. K video and lets you easily pull still images from that footage, as well. On- screen focus and exposure aids help you verify that your video is sharp and properly exposed. The fully articulated touch- sensitive rear screen lets you comfortably monitor the action even with the camera in an awkward position, and the microphone input lets you use external mics to capture top- quality audio. If you plan to take video almost as often as you shoot stills, the G8. Table of contents. Why you should trust me. I’ve worked as a professional photographer and digital imaging consultant for almost 1. I’m on the faculty of New York City’s International Center of Photography and lead photography workshops around the country. I’ve covered cameras and photo gear here at The Wirecutter since 2. As a result, I’ve got a keen understanding of current camera technology as well as the features and performance that make a real difference when you’re actually out shooting. Who should buy this. If you’ve gotten serious enough about photography to know what aperture and shutter speed mean (or are ready to learn), and want the option to choose lenses suited for specific types of shooting, buying a mirrorless camera is a great way to get pro- level image quality without the weight and bulk of a DSLR. A mirrorless camera omits the mechanical optical system that directs light from the camera’s lens to an optical viewfinder. This reduces the camera’s size and the eliminates “shutter blackout”—that split second when a DSLR’s mirror flips up, blocking your view of your subject at the critical moment you’re capturing your image. In this guide we’re looking at the middle tier of mirrorless cameras in terms of features and price. These models let you swap lenses and they take much better pictures in a wider variety of lighting situations than any beginner point- and- shoot camera. An electronic viewfinder (EVF) means you can still shoot holding the camera to your eye like the pros. And for times when that becomes impractical (like shooting with the camera above your head or below your waist), these models have rear screens you can tilt and swivel. If you’re making the leap from your smartphone or an inexpensive compact camera and aren’t ready to spend anywhere close to $1,0. Mirrorless cameras have only been widely available since about 2. All of them can take great- looking pictures. If your current mirrorless camera is only three to four years old, keep it. Investing in a new lens will do much more to improve your photography. What about a DSLR? The days when you had to buy a DSLR to get pro- quality images are over. In fact, mirrorless cameras have become so good and make for such smaller and lighter kits to lug around, they’re actually a better option for most people. Image quality is largely a function of the size of the camera’s image sensor, and many mirrorless cameras use APS- C sensors, the same size found in the cameras in our entry- level DSLR and midrange DSLR guides. The rest use what’s called a Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is even smaller, but also lets you use much smaller lenses for an incredibly compact kit. Any slight disadvantage in performance is made up for by the huge increase in convenience—which means you’ll actually use the camera more. DSLRs have significantly longer battery life, as their bigger physical size leaves more room for larger- capacity batteries. They also offer the widest possible selection of lenses. The best DSLRs also have highly advanced autofocus systems that are tuned for sports and action photography. And you might simply prefer an optical (analog) viewfinder instead of an electronic one, though the newest EVFs are so good we encourage you to at least try them out. But if none of these features trump the convenience of a smaller, lighter load on your shoulder, a mirrorless camera is the way to go. What you get by spending more. If you can afford something closer to the $1,4. Best Mirrorless Camera guide. For the extra money, you get features like a weather- sealed body that will stand up to even a downpour, a more robust AF system, and niceties like dual SD card slots (that aren’t located at the bottom of the camera where you can’t access them when using a tripod). These top- end models tend to have EVFs with greater magnification, making it a bit easier to see small details when you’re composing your image. In this class, you’ll also see more models that can shoot 4. K video. These are great features if they’re relevant to what and how you shoot. But our mid- priced picks are no slouches; in the majority of circumstances, they will deliver still images that look just as great. In fact, several of the models we considered actually debuted well above our $1,0. How we picked. This is one of three guides we have for mirrorless cameras, which says a lot about the wide range of features and prices these cameras now encompass. Our entry- level guide features models in the $5. Contenders in our high- end mirrorless guide start at about $1,5. They’re built to withstand pro- level abuse, and can fire off many more consecutive shots at their fastest burst rate. Some cater to video specialists with 4. K capture combined with mic and headphone inputs. From left to right: Fujifilm X- T1. Olympus OM- D E- M1. II, and the Fujifilm X- T2. We started with more than 2. An EVF so you can hold the camera to your face, minimizing blurry photos caused by camera shake. You’ll also appreciate it on bright sunny days when glare makes viewing the rear screen difficult. External control dials that let you change common settings without diving into the camera menu. A tilting or rotating rear screen so you can shoot comfortably even with the camera in a awkward position. A hot shoe so you can add an external flash for professionally lit photos. A burst rate fast enough to keep up with busy kids and pets. We ended up with just a handful of models that warranted a closer look. We brought in our top contenders, the Olympus OM- D E- M1. Mark II with 1. 4- 4. EZ Lens, Fujifilm X- T1. Fujifilm X- T2. 0 for some real- world shooting and testing. For details about which models we dismissed and why, see our competition section. Our pick. The Micro Four Thirds Olympus OM- D E- M1. Mark II with 1. 4- 4. EZ Lens is the camera we recommend for most people looking for a mirrorless camera with semiprofessional features that won’t put a major dent in your wallet. In addition to taking great- looking pictures with pleasing color, contrast, and detail, the E- M1. II offers a bright, crisp viewfinder, fast focus, and a large image buffer for continuous shooting. It’s compatible with any of the 7. Micro Four Thirds system, and has built- in image- stabilization that works with any of those lenses. The E- M1. 0 II has a well- designed set of controls that lets you change settings quickly and easily. Though this Micro Four Thirds camera suffers from an overly complicated menu system and doesn’t quite reach the image- quality heights of its larger- sensor rivals, it offers a combination of compact size, great handling, and strong performance that is hard to beat in its price range.
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