Blackmagic Design announced DaVinci Resolve 17 back in November, and it has been in beta form ever since. The long wait for the final version is now over, and you can download Davinci Resolve 17 for free over at Blackmagic Design.

There are more than 300 new features including HDR grading, AI magic mask, improved Fairlight usability, improved editing and much more.

DaVinci Resolve 17 Features

• Next-generation HDR color correction with customizable wheels and tonal zones. Mesh and grid-based color warper delivers an entirely new way to transform color. Magic mask automatic object isolation powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine.
• Improved color management with tone mapping and color space aware tools. Massive DaVinci wide-gamut color space for higher quality image processing. High-speed audio editing with a new keyboard and mouse context-sensitive tools. Fairlight Audio Core engine with auto load balancing and support for 2,000 tracks. Revolutionary FlexBus architecture for audio routing without limitations.
• Automatic transient detection for beats, words, and sound effects.
• Support for massive audio projects with thousands of tracks on a single system.
• Timeline based clip syncing to create multicam and compound clips. Alpha support for keying and compositing on cut and edit pages.
• Import and edit projects from ATEM Mini Pro ISO.
• Proxy media workflows up to 1/16th resolution in H.264, H.265, ProRes or DNxHR.
• Metadata based card view in media pool on cut page.
• Precision audio trimming on the cut page timeline and graphical trimmer. Smart reframe powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine on cut and edit pages. Live effect, title, and transition previews on cut and edit pages.
• Render in-place command for effects heavy clips on cut and edit timelines. Make source side adjustments before editing clips into the timeline.
• Portable timeline and bin files for easy sharing.
• Native interlace processing and realtime 3:2 pulldown removal.
• Node tree bookmarks, customizable Fusion toolbar, and vertical node layouts. Support for growing files in media pool.
• Support for frame-based metadata for BRAW, ARRI, RED, Sony and EXR. Workflow integration API and third-party encoder API.

Download DaVinci Resolve 17 now

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Bryan at The Digital Picture has completed his exhaustive review of brand new Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM. A lens that really showcases Canon’s ability to make new and unique designs for older dependable lenses.

It shouldn’t shock us that Bryan came away thoroughly impressed with the new offering from Canon, and I personally can’t wait to get my hands on one.

From TDP

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens was a game-changer, and the Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens is the same, taking the game down to a new size and weight low. Those carrying this frequently-needed telephoto zoom lens for extended periods will love this lens’s new size and weight.

As part of the elite L-series, the RF 70-200 lens is extremely well built, including environmental sealing. As said before, this lens is ready for the rigors of daily professional use. The smooth external design, smooth-functioning rings, crisp switches, and tight tolerances make this lens a pleasure to use. Read the full review

Stock levels for this lens are still relatively low, but you should be able to find one at smaller retailers.

Canon today released the story of their concept camera designs over the years, three of which have become consumer products with the Ivy Rec, PowerShot Zoom and PowerShot Pick.

Canon has now unveiled a new concept, the Posture Fit. The purpose of the Posture Fit concept is to improve your posture at your desk and to get you moving. When the Posture Fit sees that your posture is wrong, it will let you know. It will also let you know when you’ve sat too long.

If you don’t want to watch the whole video above, you can see the Posture Fit announcement here. The presentation is subtitled in English.

Canon does say in this presentation that they don’t know if will actually reach the market, but these ideas and news ways of thinking are sure to grow some creative engineers in the future.

• Dual Pixel Pro technology utilizes 100-million phase-detecting photodiodes that perceive phases both vertically and horizontally for faster and more accurate auto-focusing
• Staggered HDR solution brings richer detail and more vibrant colors than real-time HDR, while reducing energy consumption by up to 24-percent

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced Samsung ISOCELL GN2, a new 50-megapixel (Mp) image sensor with large 1.4-micrometer (μm)-sized pixels. With enhancements to its predecessor, the ISOCELL GN1, the GN2 offers up to 100Mp imaging, improved auto-focusing through Dual Pixel Pro technology, powerful staggered HDR, and vivid results through Smart ISO Pro, regardless of the lighting environment.

“ISOCELL image sensors and its technologies have made vast improvements to deliver the quality and performance one would expect from top-tier prograde cameras,” said Duckhyun Chang, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “Our new ISOCELL GN2 features Dual Pixel Pro, an innovative all-direction auto-focusing solution that elevates the agility to capture moments as they unfold. Adding on Smart ISO Pro and a variety of advanced pixel technologies, pictures from GN2 are more true-to-life than ever.”

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I have spoken to multiple retailers in Canada, Europe and the United States and it appears that Canon has been informing them that camera and lens inventory issues will likely be resolved by the end of March.

No one went into great detail, as I’m sure Canon didn’t either. We can just assume that the supply chain is going to improve to normal levels following the Chinese New Year and quarantine regulations for factories.

With that, we can get ready for major camera and lens announcements in and around June. One retailer did mention that there would be new NDA’s signed in April or May. I was told a while ago the first half of 2021 would be a bit boring, but that the second half of the year would be exciting.

More to come…

RØDE today announced the RØDE Wireless GO II system, the world’s smallest wireless microphone system.  The new system offers 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption which delivers up to 200m of extra range over the previous iteration. The Wireless GO II system also offers more than 24 hours of onboard recording in each transmitter. This can save you from dropouts and other audio recording failures.

The new Wireless GO II system retails for $299 USD and should begin shipping worldwide very soon.

KEY FEATURES OF THE WIRELESS GO II:

• Dual-channel wireless microphone system – record two sound sources simultaneously or use as a single channel wireless microphone
• All-new Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption – delivers an extended range of up to 200m (line of sight), optimised for extremely stable operation in dense RF environments
• 3.5mm analog TRS output, USB-C and iOS digital audio output – universal compatibility with cameras, mobile devices and computers
• On-board recording capability – record over 24 hours of audio direct to each transmitter as a failsafe against dropouts and other audio issues
• Ability to switch between mono or stereo recording modes – record each channel separately or combine them for ultimate flexibility in post-production
• Flexible gain control – three-stage pad, expandable to 10-stage pad
• Safety channel – records a second channel at -20dB as a backup in case the main channel distorts
• Complete control over all features and functions via the RØDE Central app
• In-built rechargeable lithium-ion batteries – up to 7 hours battery life, plus a power saver mode
• Designed and made in RØDE’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Australia

Preorder the RØDE Wireless GO II at Adorama

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Sony is set to unveil the Sony FX3 cinema alpha series full-frame mirrorless camera. This new body carries over some of the features and hardware from the Sony A7S III.

FX3 Product Highlights:

• Compact and lightweight body design with high operability for hand-held shooting, gimbal and drone-mounted work
• Multiple 1/4-20 UNC threaded mounting points to easily attach compatible accessories
• Detachable XLR handle unit with two XLR/TRS audio inputs and one 3.5mm stereo jack
• S-Cinetone™ look – inspired by the color science of the digital cinema camera VENICE – which is also used in FX9 and FX6 Cinema Line cameras
• Built-in cooling fan enables effective heat dissipation to support uninterrupted 4K 60p recording
• Records up to 4K 120pii
• 10.2 megapixel full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R™ sensor and BIONZ XR™ image processing engine
• Ultra-high sensitivity with ISO expandable to 409,600 for very low light conditions and 15+ stops of dynamic range
• Fast Hybrid AF (Autofocus), Touch Tracking (real-time tracking) and Real-time Eye AF, also used in other Alpha™ cameras
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization with “Active Mode”v supports handheld movie shooting

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HiLowsNote has uncovered an odd patent showing us a full-frame fixed lens camera lens optical formula. The lens design here is not impressive, as it’s quite slow at f/4.5-8.

While I have always wanted Canon to make a camera like the Leica Q or Sony RX1 series, I don’t think what we have here will ever become a consumer product.

It’ll be interesting to see if anything comes from this.

I reported earlier this month that Canon would make an EF-M related announcement in 2021, even after telling you about the imminent demise of the EOS M system in its current form.

Canon News has uncovered another patent for this new camera from Canon.

The latest patent showcases a lock that prevents the device from moving around when you are replacing lenses. The mount is likely for EF-M lenses.

There have been at least 9 patents related to this camera device since December. You can check a few of them here, here and here.

I’m at the point of thinking this is going to be a consumer product in 2021, and announcing it in April would make a lot of sense, as that is NAB season.

More to come…

SIGMA CEO Kazuto Yamaki has issued an official statement about the Foveon X3 1:1:1 sensor development which was scrapped last February due to a critical flaw in the sensor design that would make it impossible to mass-produce.

SIGMA has gone back to the drawing board and restarted the research and development from scratch. SIGMA cannot give a timetable as to when they can tell us more about the new image sensor.

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