DPReview: Digital Photography Review DPReview on Facebook DPReview on Twitter
The Digital Photography Review Newsletter
The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 400,000 subscribers
Thursday, April 1, 2021

Welcome to the 856th DPReview newsletter!

The big news this week is that rarest of things in 2021, the launch of a new DSLR. Coming almost six years after the K-3 II, the new Pentax K-3 II has been completely redesigned, offering a significant increase in functionality over its predecessors (and most other DSLRs in its class). See below for a link to our in-depth first impressions. 

Also this week I sat down (virtually, of course) with Yosuke Yamane, director of Panasonic's Imaging Division, to talk about - among other things - his company's approach to product development and the future of Micro Four Thirds. 

Thanks for reading!

Barney


Pentax K-3 Mark III initial review

The Pentax K-3 Mark III is that rarest of things: a completely new DSLR. We've got hands-on with the camera to find out just what's changed in the six years since the Mark II. The answer is: almost everything.

Read more about the new Pentax K-3 III

Panasonic Interview: 'We will strengthen both full frame and M43'

In the latest in our series of socially-distanced interviews with senior executives in the digital photography industry, we spoke to Yosuke Yamane, director of Panasonic's Imaging Division. Click through to read our in-depth interview.

Read our interview with Yosuke Yamane of Panasonic

Field review: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN

The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens is a very compact, lightweight standard zoom lens for full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras. Read our review to find out how it performs.

Read our review of the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN

Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM sample gallery

With an innovative design and advanced optical makeup, the Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM offers the promise of high image quality in a package not much larger than most standard zooms. So how does it perform? Click through to see our gallery of sample images.

Check out samples from the Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM

News updates
Published Wednesday, March 31, 2021 8:44:00 PM GMT

Perseverance isn't the only NASA rover on Mars. Curiosity, launched in 2011, continues to explore Mars and recently captured some cool shots, including a 71-shot panoramic selfie.

Published Wednesday, March 31, 2021 5:05:00 PM GMT

Sony Electronics recently announced an update to its 'Visual Story' mobile application that adds a new AI-powered ‘Live Gallery’ feature for viewing memories as they’re captured.

Published Wednesday, March 31, 2021 2:43:00 PM GMT

The complaint alleges Sony Electronics Inc. is breaking various New York laws by not providing warranty service on a7 III camera bodies affected by premature shutter failures.

Published Wednesday, March 31, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

Jordan promised to shoot four DPReview TV episodes with the Pentax K-01 if we reached 300,000 YouTube subscribers. We reached our goal and Jordan held up his end of the bargain. Find out what he learned about shooting with this less-than-stellar camera.

Published Wednesday, March 31, 2021 1:47:00 PM GMT

‘Vanishing Asia’ is a three-volume series from Wired Co-Founder, Kevin Kelly, that explores the the disappearing traditions and designs of Asia.

Published Wednesday, March 31, 2021 1:00:00 PM GMT

We took the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 to the Bay Area and put it in the hands of commercial and fashion photographer Robert Silver to see what it can do.

Published Tuesday, March 30, 2021 10:00:00 PM GMT

The Pentax K-3 Mark III is that rarest of things: a completely new DSLR. We've got hands-on with the camera to find out just what's changed in the six years since the Mark II. The answer is: almost everything.

Published Tuesday, March 30, 2021 10:00:00 PM GMT

Ricoh has officially unveiled the Pentax K-3 III DSLR, which offers a host of significant updates over previous models, including a new 26MP sensor, improved shake reduction, a new AF system and a larger viewfinder.

Published Tuesday, March 30, 2021 6:21:00 PM GMT

It’s been announced that Getty Images is acquiring Unsplash at the end of the month.

Published Tuesday, March 30, 2021 4:02:00 PM GMT

In addition to its latest firmware update for its EOS R5 mirrorless camera, Canon has also provided relatively minor updates for itsEOS R6 and EOS-1D X Mark III camera systems, too.

Published Tuesday, March 30, 2021 3:08:00 PM GMT

Two grants offer successful applicants financial support to complete a new documentary project, which will be shown at the Visa pour l'Image photography festival

Published Tuesday, March 30, 2021 1:00:00 PM GMT

In the latest in our series of socially-distanced interviews with senior executives in the digital photography industry, we sat down (virtually) with Yosuke Yamane, director of Panasonic's Imaging Division. Click through to read our in-depth interview.

Published Monday, March 29, 2021 8:22:00 PM GMT

More than a year after showing off the initial prototypes at IBC, Venus Optics has announced the release of its 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter and 1.4x Full Frame Expander for PL mount cine lenses.

Published Monday, March 29, 2021 6:10:00 PM GMT

Leica, and 1854, publisher of The British Journal of Photography, recently announced a monthly themed Commission Series with a £5000 grant.

Published Monday, March 29, 2021 4:31:00 PM GMT

A one-off prototype used in the development process of a limited-edition (RED) Leica M is expected to sell for more than $250K when it goes up for auction in June at the Leitz Photographica Auction

Published Monday, March 29, 2021 2:16:00 PM GMT

This firmware update brings Sony’s a7S III even more in line with the company’s recently-released FX3 Cine Line camera.

Published Monday, March 29, 2021 1:00:00 PM GMT

The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens is a very compact, lightweight standard zoom lens for full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras. Read our review to find out how it performs.

Published Sunday, March 28, 2021 7:37:00 PM GMT

Data from Japanese research firm Techno System Research shows Sony produced 1.15M mirrorless cameras in 2020, with Canon close behind (1.05M units) and Nikon trailing (250K units).

Published Sunday, March 28, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT

With an innovative design and advanced optical makeup, the Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM offers the promise of high image quality in a package not much larger than most standard zooms. So how does it perform? Click through to see our gallery of sample images.

Published Saturday, March 27, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

In this episode of DPReview TV, Chris and Jordan head outdoors into the snow to test a pre-production version of the new Sigma fp L. Watch to find out what the guys think about this somewhat quirky camera.

Published Saturday, March 27, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

The Sigma fp L may have some quirks, but its 60MP sensor is capable of producing beautiful images. Check out these sample photos, captured using a pre-production camera, by our team at DPReview TV.

Published Friday, March 26, 2021 7:46:00 PM GMT

Two years after showing the first image of a black hole, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration has shown a new view of the black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy.

Published Friday, March 26, 2021 2:59:00 PM GMT

A recent Japanese patent application from Canon shows the company has developed optical designs for three potential F2.8 ultra-wide RF mount lenses.

Published Friday, March 26, 2021 2:02:00 PM GMT

Vivo has announced the X60 Pro Plus, X60 Pro and X60 smartphones. The new devices vary in camera specs, with the flagship X60 Pro Plus sporting four Zeiss-branded rear cameras.

Published Friday, March 26, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

Thinking about getting your feet (and film) wet with home development? Our complete guide (originally published last year, at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown) – has everything you need to know to get started.

Published Friday, March 26, 2021 1:00:00 PM GMT

Sigma's fp L is one of the most compact full-frame cameras on the market, and its new optional electronic viewfinder adds to its versatility. But how does it handle? Find out right here.

Published Thursday, March 25, 2021 7:28:00 PM GMT

Xiaomi has announced, via a collection of teasers, that it’s forthcoming Mi Mix smartphone will feature a liquid lens, capable of offering multiple focal lengths in a single camera module.

Published Thursday, March 25, 2021 7:10:00 PM GMT

The FAA announced a new launch date for Remote ID recurrent training. This will allow Part 107-certified remote pilots to renew their certificate online instead of in-person.

Published Thursday, March 25, 2021 4:48:00 PM GMT

The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has begun preparations ahead of its maiden flight, which will mark the first powered flight on another planet.

Published Thursday, March 25, 2021 4:36:00 PM GMT

After announcing it was forced to discontinue its flagship 360-degree camera last month, Ricoh is back with an almost identical successor with more than double the storage.

Published Thursday, March 25, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

Sony recently announced a set of three compact full-frame E-mount prime lenses: the 24mm F2.8G, the 40mm F2.5G, and the 50mm F2.5G. Learn more about them in our detailed hands-on first impressions article.

Published Thursday, March 25, 2021 12:30:00 PM GMT

The Sigma fp L is a high-resolution development of the company's compact full-frame interchangeable lens camera. It gains a 61MP BSI-CMOS sensor, providing a more stills-focused platform than the original fp 24MP L-mount mirrorless camera. Learn more about it in our initial review.

Published Thursday, March 25, 2021 12:30:00 PM GMT

Sigma's new fp L is the smallest and highest-resolution full-frame camera on the market. See what kind of photos this tiny 61MP camera can produce in our sample gallery.

Published Thursday, March 25, 2021 12:30:00 PM GMT

Sigma has announced the new fp L. A high-resolution version of its incredibly compact L-mount fp, the fp L features a 61MP BSI-CMOS sensor, hybrid AF system and support for Raw video capture and output. Along with the camera comes an EVF that attaches to the side of both the fp L and original fp.