<div name="googleone_share_1" style="position:relative;z-index:5;float: right; /*margin: 70px 0 0 0;*/ top:70px; right:120px; width:0;"><g:plusone size="tall" count="1" href="http://www.canonrumors.com/2013/08/sigma-announces-mount-coversion-service/"></g:plusone></div><div style="float: right; margin:0 0 70px 70px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-url="http://www.canonrumors.com/2013/08/sigma-announces-mount-coversion-service/">Tweet</a></div>
<p><b>RONKONKOMA, N.Y., – Aug. 1, 2013</b> - Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced a revolutionary new, fee-based service that will enable the company’s Global Vision lens owners to change their lens mounts for use on different camera systems.</p>
<p>Starting Sept. 2, Global Vision lens owners can request the Mount Conversion Service to convert their current Sport, Contemporary or Art DSLR lenses to their choice of a Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Nikon or Canon mount. Global Vision category lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILCs) can be updated to either a micro four thirds (MFT) or Sony E- mount.</p>
<p>In addition to the announcement of the industry’s first Mount Conversion Service, Sigma is also extending the warranty on all of its products – including cameras, lenses and flashes purchased on or after July 1, 2013 – to four years. Previously, warranties varied by product. This enhanced product protection provides Sigma’s customers with more consistency and improved service.</p>
<p>“Professionals and amateurs alike are taking advantage of the many affordable camera options in today’s market; they’re updating their camera bags and exploring new systems and brands,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “When photographers purchase a lens, it’s often a significant, financial and artistic commitment – and we believe that investment should last a lifetime. Our new Mount Conversion Service and extended warranty are intended to help Sigma users get more enjoyment from our products, regardless of how their approach to photography changes overtime.”</p>
<p>The Mount Conversion Service is limited to all of Sigma’s Global Vision lenses. Current, applicable full-frame lenses include the 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS Sport and 35mm F1.4 DG Art; APS-C crop sensor lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Art, 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC OS Macro Contemporary and 18-35mm F1.8 DC Art; and MILC lenses include the 19mm F2.8 DN Art, 30mm F2.8 DN Art and 60mm F2.8 DN Art. Lenses can be converted to any mount of a photographer’s choosing, as long as Sigma has released that product in the requested mount.</p>
<p>Cost of the conversion will range between $80 to $250, plus shipping costs, depending on the focal length of the lens. All lenses will be shipped to Sigma’s US subsidiary in New York, and updated, calibrated and optimized for the new camera system at Sigma’s factory in Aizu, Japan. All lenses that undergo the Mount Conversion Service will be covered under warranty for six months following the update. Teleconverters, USB Docks and other accessories are not eligible for the service.</p>
<p>To request the Mount Conversion Service, please visit your local Sigma subsidiary. Customers in the United States should visit <a href="http://www.sigmaphoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.sigmaphoto.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

<div name="googleone_share_1" style="position:relative;z-index:5;float: right; /*margin: 70px 0 0 0;*/ top:70px; right:120px; width:0;"><g:plusone size="tall" count="1" href="http://www.canonrumors.com/2013/07/new-canon-vixia-mini-compact-personal-camcorder-offers-a-unique-feature-set-inspiring-shooters-to-become-the-stars-of-their-own-videos/"></g:plusone></div><div style="float: right; margin:0 0 70px 70px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-url="http://www.canonrumors.com/2013/07/new-canon-vixia-mini-compact-personal-camcorder-offers-a-unique-feature-set-inspiring-shooters-to-become-the-stars-of-their-own-videos/">Tweet</a></div>
<p><i>The New VIXIA mini Compact Personal Camcorder Features an Ultra Wide-Angle Lens, Full HD Video, Vari-Angle LCD Monitor and Slim Ultra-Compact Body with Built-in Stand, and Allows for Convenient Hands-Free Shooting with built-in Wi-Fi</i></p>
<p><b>Melville, N.Y., July 31, 2013</b> – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the new VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder. The creatively designed VIXIA mini personal camcorder allows shooters to easily record their hobbies, special interests and memorable moments hands-free, and then share those videos and images on their favorite social networking sites or their own blogs via built-in Wi-Fi or via the free Canon Movie Uploader app*.</p>
<p>The VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder features an ultra wide-angle Canon f/2.8 fisheye lens (160 degree movies / 170 degree photos) allowing a user to shoot from unique and creative perspectives while including their surroundings to make their videos and images more interesting. By utilizing the Wide Mode users can give the viewer a full view of their surroundings and then switch to Close-Up Mode to provide emphasis on a particular subject. While in Close-up Mode, users can record a centered 1920 x 1440 resolution image with little distortion. They can also quickly toggle from one shooting mode to the other, or switch back and forth between video and image mode, by touching the camcorder’s innovatively designed 2.7-inch capacitive-tilt touch panel LCD display. Attached to the camera by two parallel hinges, the Vari-Angle LCD monitor allows for various shooting styles, including low-angle shooting, normal and high-angle-shooting and self-shooting.</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p>In addition, the camcorder’s 12.8 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor combined with the Canon DIGIC DV4 Image Processor creates the Canon HS SYSTEM, allowing shooters to capture and record stunning Full HD video in MP4 format as well as jpeg still images to a removable microSD card, all in the exceptional image quality standard that the Canon line of VIXIA camcorders are known for. The camcorder’s video image quality is further enhanced with the use of a Mechanical Shutter for the recording of moving subjects with little distortion. Beyond delivering high-quality video, the VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder also records high-quality audio thanks to its built-in stereo microphone. By using Audio Scene Select modes, users can choose an audio scene that matches their surroundings such as music or speech or even suppressing road noise.</p>
<p>“The new VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder marks the birth of an innovative video camera designed specifically for the social media savvy user,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “This uniquely styled compact personal camcorder allows users to shoot, view and share videos and photos of themselves enjoying their hobbies or special occasions with family and friends.”</p>
<div><b>Tools to Become the Star</b></div>
<p>The Canon VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder comes with a feature set that puts the user in the driver seat, expanding their creativity, allowing them to not only be the director of their videos or images, but also the star. Mirror Image Recording/Playback lets users view the scene they are recording in real time so they can watch as they record. So whether they are shooting their latest blog post about cooking a favorite Italian culinary delight, or filming a practice golf swing to help perfect their back stroke, the VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder is a versatile and convenient tool.</p>
<p>New Special Scene Modes such as Food & Fashion, Sports, and Macro provide users with advanced presets to help capture impressive images even under difficult shooting conditions to prevent over/under exposure. For those looking to shoot in a fun and unique perspective, the camcorder’s Slow Motion or Fast Motion modes provide imaging effects that allow creativity in controlling space and time. Slow Motion allows shooting video at a choice of two slow motion speeds – 1/4x (VGA) and 1/2x (720p) allowing viewers to easily see and closely examine video of dancers or other fast moving subjects. Fast Motion allows shooting at two fast motion speeds – 4x and 2x – ideal for speeding up footage of cooking, makeup, nail art, etc.</p>
<p>The camcorder’s Smart Auto Mode allows the beginning user to capture those spontaneous moments with a touch of the screen. Smart Auto intelligently selects one of 38 predefined situations to give outstanding video and still image output.</p>
<p>The VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder comes with a built-in adjustable stand allowing users to tilt and elevate it up to approximately 60 degrees providing a new way to record video hands-free, and the camcorder’s tripod socket also allows for flexible positioning of the device. And an automatic lens cover helps protect against scratches and dust when the camera is not in use.</p>
<div><b>Advanced Connectivity to Help Users Share Their World</b></div>
<p>Once a user has recorded their video blog, or a day at the park with the kids, it’s time to share the video or images with friends, family and fans. The VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder comes with built-in Wi-Fi allowing users to quickly share their video and photos to social networking sites like YouTube and Facebook, or they can be sent directly to their PC. A user can also upload their video or still images taken with the VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder from virtually anywhere by downloading the free Canon Movie Uploader app onto their iOS supported device.*</p>
<p>The Live Streaming feature allows for users to view and record on their iOS or Android device when they download the free Canon CameraAccess2 App**.The Canon CameraAccess2 App is available for download on both iOS and Android supported smartphones and tablets. The Live Streaming feature also allows a user to control the VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder from remote locations.</p>
<div><b>Pricing & Availability</b></div>
<p>The VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder will be available in black and white and is scheduled to be available September 2013 for an estimated retail price of $299.99.1 An optional VIXIA mini carrying case and strap are scheduled to also be available September 2013 in black or white for an estimated retail price of $14.99.1 For more information, and a full list of product specifications, visit <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/vixiamini" target="_self">http://www.usa.canon.com/vixiamini</a></p>

<div name="googleone_share_1" style="position:relative;z-index:5;float: right; /*margin: 70px 0 0 0;*/ top:70px; right:120px; width:0;"><g:plusone size="tall" count="1" href=""></g:plusone></div><div style="float: right; margin:0 0 70px 70px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-url="">Tweet</a></div>
<p><strong>What to expect on August 21, 2013

</strong>First, we’re told by a great source that only PowerShot announcements will take place on the 21st. We’re also told not to expect anything “high end”, nothing like the Sony RX100 II. I would imagine at least a few new PowerShots will have features that go along with sharing photos.</p>
<p>Which brings us to…. as some have pointed out, the invitation shows a cloud and not an EOS, PowerShot or EF logo like most invites. There’s a good chance that this is for the Project 1709 photo management service. You can visit it at <a href="https://www.project1709.com/" target="_blank">www.project1709.com</a>.</p>
<p>I have feelers out to see if anything bigger in the way of an EOS camera is to be announced or showcased. There is always a possibility of a “development” announcement, as that can afford Canon time to actually get a product to market.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>