Canon and Sony News, Deals, What's New

No surprise here — you are going to like these results. Here are some comparisons to get you started:

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens compared to Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens compared to Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens compared to Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Lens

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens compared to Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens compared to Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

Rent the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens from Lensrentals.

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The refurbished Nikon Z 6 is also available.

Browse the full list of current Adorama deals.

DJI Air 2S Melds Incredible Image Quality With Unmatched Flight Performance

Added Obstacle Sensors Improve Autonomous Flying, While The 1” Sensor Offers 20-Megapixel Photos and 5.4K Video

April 15, 2021 – DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today sets a new benchmark for high-grade flight performance and incredible imagery with the new DJI Air 2S. This portable camera drone is an all-in-one solution, offering robust flight performance, state-of-the-art camera upgrades and high-grade preprogrammed content creation tools.

“Every creator remembers what it felt like to fly a drone for the first time, and they’ll feel the same sense of wonder and possibility when they first experience DJI Air 2S’s unparalleled mix of astonishing flight capability and gripping image quality,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director, DJI Europe. “DJI Air 2S is a wish list come to life for everyone who demands more from a drone, showcasing upgrades that truly elevate the system into a highly versatile drone. From content creators, to drone enthusiasts and travelers, we are confident that a lot of people will be excited about this drone.”

The DJI Air 2S is the first drone of its size to capture 20-megapixel still images or video in 5.4K with a new one-inch sensor that was previously available only on larger, less agile drones. DJI continues to enable the effortless creation of imaginative content with the new MasterShots feature. This advanced feature uses automatic flight path planning to set the drone’s course while recording video. Upon completion of the flight, DJI Air 2S automatically merges the footage under one theme to create an eye-catching video.

DJI Air 2S’s 31 minutes of maximum flight time and four-way directional obstacle sensors let the pilot focus on the shot while the drone’s safety systems warn when obstacles are getting close. APAS 4.0 is the most advanced autopilot system on any DJI drone and when turned on, seamlessly maneuvers around objects autonomously. O3, DJI’s third iteration of OcuSync, brings the most reliable transmission technology in the drone market to this portable, foldable drone so users know their connection is stable. The upgraded FocusTrack mode includes a suite of programmed modes like Spotlight 2.0, ActiveTrack 4.0 and Point of Interest 3.0 that easily mimic the focus, control and movement of a professional video operator.

An All-In-One Tool for All Your Content Capturing Needs

Expand your creative vision and capture high-grade footage using a new one-inch sensor capable of recording 20-megapixel still images, 5.4K video at 30fps or 4K at 60fps and 150Mbps. The one-inch sensor is larger than the sensor on the original Mavic Air 2 and offers a larger pixel size of 2.4µm, capturing more information and detail for better photos and videos. Get closer to the subject without moving the drone using a new digital zoom that supports 4X zoom at 4K 30fps, 6X at 2.7K 30fps, 4X at 2.7K 60fps, 6X at 1080P 60fps and 8X at 1080P 30fps. DJI’s renowned three-axis mechanical gimbal smooths out footage for professional-level quality and 8 GB of internal storage have been added. Users can choose to record in H264 or H265, depending on their preferences for image detail and storage capacity and can also choose from three video color profiles, Normal (8 bit), D-Log (10 bit) or HLG (10 bit) to match their video needs.

In addition to standard photo options like Timed Photo, AEB and Panoramas, DJI Air 2S’s SmartPhoto mode records 20-megapixel photos using advanced scene analysis and deep learning to automatically choose the best of three options that will create the most visually appealing image for you, including HDR, Hyperlight and Scene Recognition. HDR modes merge several images together for a vibrant scene while Hyperlight is designed for low-light scenarios and Scene Recognition can identify several common settings and apply camera adjustments to capture photos that pop.

Pre-Programmed Modes for Pro-Level Footage

The DJI Air 2S has the most programmed flight modes and image capture modes of any DJI drone of its size. These creative options include:

• MasterShots: Professional-level aerial footage has never been easier. After activating MasterShots, the drone will autonomously plan a flight path, choose from three different image capture modes, including Proximity, Portrait or Landscape, and start recording classic aerial footage. Pilots can choose different themes and the DJI Fly app will generate a unique video that’s ready to be shared with the world.
• FocusTrack: Focus on the scene and let DJI Air 2S do the hard work for you. Select your subject by drawing a square around it on your mobile device, then choose from Point of Interest 3.0, an autonomous flight path around the subject; ActiveTrack 4.0, a tool that seamlessly tracks the subject and keeps it in the frame; or Spotlight 2.0, where the drone movement is controlled by the pilot while it locks the subject into the frame.
• QuickShots: A staple DJI feature, QuickShot modes include Rocket, Circle, Dronie, Helix, Boomerang and Asteroid.
• Hyperlapse: See the world sped up from the air and in motion with the Hyperlapse option in resolution up to 4K. Content captured in 4K resolution and lower can apply digital stabilization for an added layer of smoothness.

Safe and Intuitive Flight Operation in an Ultra-Portable Drone

DJI Air 2S uses four high-grade antennas and the latest version of DJI’s proprietary OcuSync transmission tech, O3, to deliver a stable feed at a maximum distance of 12km¹, even in areas with a high number of signals. A maximum 31 minutes in the air gives pilots more time to capture visually appealing footage while four-way sensors help reduce the risk of collision. The newly upgraded front, rear, bottom and top obstacle sensors incorporate binocular zooming technology to recognize incoming objects from further away at faster speeds.

DJI Air 2S uses the latest and most advanced version of Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) 4.0, which allows the drone to autonomously and seamlessly maneuver around, under and over obstacles. While flying at normal speeds, the newly improved APAS 4.0 offers a wider field-of-view to detect obstacles compared to previous versions. If pilots are flying at higher speeds, as the angle of the drone pitches forward more and the newly added upward obstacle sensor plays a critical part in assisting obstacle detection. As with DJI’s latest drone models, the DJI Air 2S’s AirSense system warns drone pilots of nearby airplanes and helicopters transmitting ADS-B signals, so the drone can be quickly moved to a safer location. Other standard DJI safety features of DJI Air 2S include an improved Return-To-Home (RTH) feature, which can bring a drone back to its launch point if it loses contact with the controller or reaches a critically low battery level, and the GEO 2.0 geofencing system to advise pilots of sensitive locations and help them automatically keep away from high-risk areas such as airports. DJI Air 2S uses the latest version of the DJI Fly app, which features a wealth of educational information and tutorials to get new pilots up in the air quickly.

DJI Care Refresh

DJI Care Refresh is now available for DJI Air 2S, covering various accidents, such as water damage, collisions, flyaway, etc. For an additional charge, DJI Care Refresh offers up to two replacement units within one year, including coverage for one flyaway incident. The two-year plan provides three replacement units in two years, including coverage for up to two flyaway incidents and an extension of the original warranty period by one year (extension durations vary by region). Receive your replacement even sooner with DJI Care Refresh Express. DJI Care Refresh also includes exclusive after-sales support and free two-way shipping. For a full list of details, please visit https://www.dji.com/service/djicare-refresh.

Price and Availability

DJI Air 2S is available for purchase today from store.dji.com and from authorized retail partners in several configurations. The standard combo retails for $999 USD and includes the drone, remote controller, one battery and all the cables and parts needed to get into the air. The Fly More Combo retails for $1299 USD includes everything from the standard combo with the addition of 2 batteries for a total of 3, ND filters, a charging hub and a shoulder bag.

In Stock Now!

The DJI Air 2S is in stock at B&H and Adorama.

Learn more about the Air 2S at B&H Explora.

¹ DJI Air 2S transmission system has a maximum range of 12 km when unobstructed, free of interference and FCC compliant. Maximum flight range specification is a proxy for radio link strength and resilience. Always fly your drone within visual line of sight unless otherwise permitted and check local laws and regulations in the region being operated.

Reviews

Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

Firmware Version 1.3.1 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Fixes a phenomenon, in which when shooting with Canon Log 3, if the [View Assist.] setting is set to [On], the image in the viewfinder and on the LCD screen is displayed brighter than it should be.

Our review: Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM Lens

Use those links to learn about the new models.

The refurbished Nikon Z 6 is also available.

Browse the full list of current Adorama deals.

The first piece of important information to share is that the Canon RF 400mm F2.8 and 600mm F4 L IS USM Lenses are essentially identical to their EF IS version III counterparts except for a brushed metal EF to RF mount adapter built in (and the focus distance window is removed). The RF 400 and 600 are equivalents to the EF 400 and 600 with a Mount Adapter EF-EOS R behind them. This includes optical and mechanical performance.

It is easy to say that Canon took the easy way out when creating the 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lenses for the RF mount, and it is also hard to argue against that statement.

However, it is unlikely that optical advances significant enough to justify a new design became available since the EF lens introduction less than 3 years earlier. Also, since lens models go into the design phase long before they are announced, it is probable that the EF 600 III was already designed for optimal use on the RF mount. That Canon's first R-series camera, the EOS R, was introduced in the same announcement as the EF 600 III lends credence to that theory. Also noteable is that long focal length lenses tend to benefit less from the short flange distance on the mirrorless camera models, reducing the justification for a redesign.

Why bother introducing the RF model if the mount is the significant design improvement, and compatibility with EOS DSLR Cameras is foregone? Eliminating the mount adapter creates a slightly tighter, more secure fit and reduces weight slightly for two minor benefits. The adapter is no longer at risk of being forgotten or lost.

An interesting benefit provided by the technology in the RF mount (specifically) is a CIPA image stabilization assistance rating increase to 5.5 stops from 5 stops.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of the built-in RF mount is compatibility with the Canon RF 1.4x and RF 2x Extenders, a compatibility the Canon mount adapter (probably) should have availed. I'm anxious to see how well the RF extenders perform with the new RF super-telephoto lenses.

While I plan to replace my EF 600mm version III lens with the RF version, the new RF 400 and 600mm super-telephoto lenses are practically the same as their respective EF lenses, including having the same price.

If you think you might want an RF 1.4x Extender or RF 2x Extender, buying one immediately is a good idea.

The Canon RF 1.4x Extender is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA

The Canon RF 2x Extender is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA

Much is known about the new RF macro lens, and the Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens page is filled with those details along with expectations.

Nearly everything is know about the new Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens and Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens. I'll call these completed reviews pending image quality testing, including with RF extenders.

The Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

The Canon Tripod Mount Ring and Adapter E(B) is available for order at B&H | Adorama

The Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

The Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX

DEVELOPING NEWS: CANON ANNOUNCES THAT THE POWERFUL PROFESSIONAL FULL-FRAME EOS R3 MIRRORLESS CAMERA IS ON ITS WAY

The Company Is Also Welcoming Three New RF Lenses: The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM, RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF600mm F4L IS USM

MELVILLE, NY, April 14, 2021 - Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced that its parent company, Canon Inc., is developing a new, high-performance professional camera — the Canon EOS R3^*. When it arrives, the EOS R3 will be an outstanding complement to the three new RF lenses the company also introduced today — The Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM, RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF600mm F4 L IS USM.

“The development of the Canon EOS R3 and the launch of the new RF lenses are the latest testament to the company’s commitment to professional still and video image and content creators,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of Canon U.S.A.’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “When the camera becomes available, it will pair well with each of the new RF lenses announced today. Canon is excited to share this news today, and we look forward to seeing the images captured with the new RF lenses and upcoming EOS R3.”

Under Development - The Canon EOS R3

The Canon EOS R3 will join the current lineup of EOS R full-frame mirrorless series cameras. This camera will usher in a new category to the EOS R system, positioned squarely between the EOS R5 and EOS-1D X Mark III cameras. The camera will put great emphasis on superb AF performance and speed, with fast-moving subjects. It is being designed to meet the reliability and durability demands of professionals, even when working in challenging conditions.

At the heart of the EOS R3 camera’s performance will be an EOS camera first, a Canon-developed, full-frame stacked CMOS sensor with a back-illuminated design, providing substantially faster read-out speeds during still-imaging recording. This completely new sensor is designed to produce less “rolling shutter” distortion during Electronic Shutter operation and offer continuous Electronic Shutter still-image shooting at speeds up to 30 fps — with full Dual Pixel CMOS AF and auto exposure¹.

The AF system will leverage technology and performance from the well-received EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras, using Deep Learning technology to further enhance eye and body detection for even better performance during portrait and action-type shooting. In addition, the EOS R3’s subject detection AF will offer new recognizable subjects for its AF system, bolstering its focusing capabilities during challenging shooting conditions.

The Electronic Viewfinder of the EOS R3 will offer photographers the ability to select the initial area for AF tracking by simply looking directly at the viewfinder location where they want to begin AF. With Eye Control AF² and Servo AF activated, the camera will focus on and track moving subjects at that location in the frame. When Face Detect + Tracking is active, the camera will continue to follow moving subjects around the entire active AF area.

The camera body will be entirely new and accentuates the camera’s high-performance design. It’s a one-piece design, integrating the body with a vertical grip section. The weather and dust-resistance will be equivalent to that of EOS-1D class cameras — an essential consideration for nature, wildlife, sports and photojournalism content creators working in extreme conditions. In addition, news photojournalists will be excited to add the Mobile File Transmitter application for iOS and Android devices that will be available.

Full details of all the EOS R3’s features and specifications will be provided at the time of its formal announcement^*.

From Up-Close To Far Away, New Canon RF Lenses Have You Covered

The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM lens is not only Canon’s first RF lens designed specifically for macro photography, but also the world’s first³ medium telephoto macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1.4x. The new lens, designed for both advanced photo enthusiasts and professionals, takes macro photography expression to the next level with the introduction of a spherical aberration (SA) control ring. The SA control ring allows users to change the character and appearance of the bokeh and obtain a softer focus effect with a simple turning of the ring to the desired result. Additional features of the Canon RF100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM include:

• Optical Image Stabilizer with up to five stops of Shake Correction⁴.
• When combined with a camera featuring In-Body Image Stabilizer, up to eight stops of shake correction⁵ is possible with coordinated operation of Optical and In-Body Image Stabilizer.
• Hybrid IS helps to compensate for angular and shift camera shake during macro shooting.
• High-speed, smooth and quiet auto focus with dual nano USM.
• Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO.
• Rugged Canon L-series dust and water-resistant design.

The Canon RF400mm F2.8L IS USM and Canon RF600mm F4L IS USM are both designed to be optically identical to their EF counterparts. The RF400mm and RF600mm weigh in at 6.37 and 6.81 pounds with a minimum focusing distance of 8.2 and 13.8 feet, respectively. Both lenses share many of the same critical features that help professional high-end super-telephoto lenses stand out from the crowd. Those features include:

• Ideal for a wide variety of shooting situations, including sports, aviation, trains, automotive, and wildlife, such as birding.
• Optical Image Stabilization with up to 5.5 stops⁶ of shake correction. Including three IS Operation Modes — still subjects, panning, and irregular movement.
• Proprietary Canon lens coatings, Super Spectra Coating (SSC), and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) help minimize ghosting and flaring. Lens placement and coatings are optimized to provide users with clear, high-contrast images even when there is a bright light source.
• Lenses include fluorite and super UD lens elements arranged in such a way to help correct chromatic aberration and make the models more compact. Like the latest Canon EF400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF600mm f/4L IS III USM lenses, released in the fall of 2018, weight on these RF-series super-telephotos has been significantly reduced vs. previous-generation Canon super tele designs.
• Compatible with Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders, and feature a customizable electronic focus ring, with manual focus capability during SERVO AF.
• A nine-blade circular aperture provides users beautiful bokeh and ideally blurred backgrounds when the aperture is stopped down.
• For added convenience when on a shoot, two focus presets are available. Users can instantly return to one of two memorized focus distances.
• Rugged Canon L-series dust and water-resistant design with vibration and shock resistance. The front element has been dressed with a fluorine coating for easy cleaning.
• Infrared reflective pigments with high reflectance and titanium oxide lens barrel coating with silica provide excellent UV weather resistance and heat reduction.

Canon RF Lenses Pricing and Availability

The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM, Canon RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and Canon RF600mm F4L IS USM are scheduled to be available in July 2021 for an estimated retail price of $1,399.00, $11,999.00 and $12,999.00, respectively^*.

Orders

Get in the front of the line!

The Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | WEX

The Canon Tripod Mount Ring and Adapter E(B) is available for order at B&H | Adorama

The Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | WEX

The Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | WEX

^* Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.

¹ Continuous shooting speed may decrease, depending upon lens in use, and shooting conditions.

² Eye Control AF may not be available, depending upon differences with individual users, or the shooting environment. In addition, Eye Control AF may not be possible with certain sunglasses, mirror sunglasses, hard contact lenses, or bifocal eyeglass lenses.

³ As an autofocus interchangeable lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Canon survey as of April 14, 2021.

⁴ Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards. Testing performed using the EOS R camera.

⁵ Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards. Testing performed using the EOS R5 camera.

⁶ Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards. Testing performed using the EOS R camera.

Visit the B&H EDU Advantage site to get started.

Then browse Sony cameras and lenses for some stellar EDU deals.

Our review: Canon RF 2x Extender

Get the 512GB capacity card for as low as $409.95 (compare at $549.99 after $100.00 instant savings).

Also note the used ProGrade Digital card readers on that page.

Some standout deals include:

• Sony CFexpress Type B TOUGH Memory Cards — save up to $100.00
• Delkin Devices 512GB CFexpress POWER Memory Card — save $50.00
• Tokina opera 16-28mm f/2.8 FF Lens for Canon or Nikon — save $150.00
• Black Rapid Camera Harnesses & Strap — save 15%
• Much More!

A huge range of additional items are available, and most deals include free shipping.

Renting is a great option for trying new gear or for getting otherwise unaffordable gear to use for short periods of time.

"To be determined" is obviously vague, and our expectations have since been guided by the estimated ship date provided by retailers. B&H originally moved the expected ship date from Mon, Feb 22nd to Mon, Apr 12, and now lists the more vague "End of Apr 2021" as the expected availability for this lens.

Amazon USA and Adorama are not guessing.

Our Reviews

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens
Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM Lens

The Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is also in stock.

Our Reviews

Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens