Image: Richard Butler
As we bid March adieu, it’s a good time to take stock of the wealth of new cameras and lenses announced so far this year. Here’s a list of everything we’ve seen, updated for April 2024!
March 2024
Leica SL3
Image: Richard Butler
Leica released the SL3 in March, making it the highest-resolution SL camera in its line. The 60MP DSLR-shaped mirrorless camera is built around Leica’s L-mount and brings a lot of technology from the Leica M11 models into its radically redesigned interface. Shutterbugs didn’t have to wait long for it to arrive. It was available the same day it was announced.
Read our SL3 initial review
Logitech Mevo Core
Image: Logitech
Logitech revisited the Mevo line of streaming cameras to give them a larger Micro Four Thirds sensor and its corresponding lens mount (the previous version was fixed lens). Geared toward users in need of live-feed video, it sports a 6-hour battery rating and supports Wi-Fi 6E up to 4K/30p streaming.
Read our Mevo Core story
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Leica limited edition black Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4
Image: Leica
Leica, whose commitment to the rangefinder style is so strong that it makes actual rangefinder cameras, announced it was producing 200 copies of the M-Summilux 35mm F1.4 with an anodized black coating on its aluminum shell. The design has many elements inspired directly by a lens Leica produced in the 60s and reintroduced in 2022 as part of the Leica Classic line.
Read our Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 story
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Ricoh creates GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF
Image: Ricoh
The Ricoh GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF are variants of the company’s existing fixed-lens APS-C premium compacts. They feature a unique “highlight diffusion filter” instead of the ND filter fitted in the standard versions of both cameras. When turned on, the HDF creates a diffusion effect, particularly visible in highlight areas. Both cameras will arrive in April, with preorders starting April 2.
Read our GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF story
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Buy GR IIIx HDF now:
Nikkor Z 28-400mm F4-8 VR
Image: Nikon
A superzoom Z-mount lens with a 14.2x zoom range, Nikon tells us the lens is designed to meet the needs of both photo and video users. Autofocus comes in the form of a stepping motor to deliver fast and quiet autofocus, and manual focus includes support for a linear focus response, which should appeal to video shooters. It is set for release in mid-April.
Read our 28-400mm F4-8 VR story
Meike 55mm F1.4 APS-C
Image: Meike
Meike Global’s first autofocus APS-C lens arrived for Fujifilm, Sony and Nikon cameras in March. The new 55mm F1.4’s $200 MSRP is targeted at photographers looking for a fast and light prime lens who don’t want to shell out for more expensive options.
Read our Meike 55mm F1.4 APS-C story
7Artisans 50mm F1.8 AF
Image: 7Artisans
7Artisans also introduced its first autofocus lens in March and it too runs about $200: a 50mm F1.8 for full-frame Sony E-mount bodies. The company has built up an extensive collection of manual focus lenses (for numerous mounts), and we imagine that this “nifty fifty” is the first of many AF lenses to come.
Read our 7Artisans 50mm F1.8 story
Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art
Image: Sigma
The 50mm lenses just kept on coming in March (calling it now, it’s going to be a hot nifty-fifty summer if this keeps up). Sigma’s second F1.2 lens for the E and L full-frame mirrorless camera mounts is one of the lightest lenses of its type. Sigma also says it’s designed to give full detail levels even at maximum aperture. It hits stores on April 18.
Read our Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art story
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Image: Tamron
Tamron’s popular 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 fast standard zoom is coming to Nikon’s Z-mount. Built with a newer, linear motor drive, it also features improved optical performance when compared to the G1 version of the lens. The announcement adds a more affordable option for Nikon’s Z-mount users, and some hope that Nikon may relax restrictions around the mount.
Read our Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 story
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February 2024
An extra long February brought us a wealth of new cameras and lenses during CP+ 2024.
Fujifilm X100VI
Image: Richard Butler
Arguably one of the most hyped-up cameras of the year, the Fujifilm X100VI was announced and made available for preorder this February. It is shipping now, but already backordered at some retailers.
Read our X100VI initial review
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Sony a9 III
Photo: Richard Butler
Sony’s latest high-speed pro sports camera and herald of the ‘global’ shutter, the a9 III, was announced in 2023 but began shipping on February 8th.
Read our Sony a9 III initial review
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OM System OM-1 Mark II
Photo: Shaminder Dulai
The OM System OM-1 Mark II is a high-speed Micro Four Thirds camera based around a 20MP Stacked CMOS sensor. As the name implies, it’s an updated version of the flagship OM-1, with hardware and firmware improvements. Announced and available for preorder in January 2024, it started shipping in February.
Read our OM System OM-1 Mark II initial review
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OM System 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS
Image: OM System
Alongside its new flagship, OM System announced a 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 super telephoto zoom (equivalent focal length range of 300-1200mm) as well as a new version of the Olympus 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 (18-36mm equivalent) with an updated body and OM System branding in January. Both are now shipping as of February 2024.
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Sony 24-50mm F2.8 G
Image: Sony
Sony’s 24-50mm F2.8 G fast, compact walk-around lens was announced this February during CP+ but is not slated to ship until May of this year.
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Fujifilm X100VI: Limited Edition
Photo: Richard Butler
While the Fujifilm X100VI itself is easy to pre-order, there is also a limited edition with Fujifilm’s founding logo from 1934 that will be a bit harder to find and a bit more expensive. Ask at your local dealer for the chance to pay a $400 premium for this limited run.
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Sigma 15mm F1.4 DG DN “Art” diagonal fisheye
Image: Sigma
Sigma’s 15mm F1.4 DG DN “Art” diagonal fisheye is shooting to be an astrophotography workhorse with a 180-degree field-of-view, manual focus lock button, lens heater support and a weather-sealed body. It’s available for preorder today, with an estimated ship date of mid-March.
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Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports
Image: Sigma
Sigma’s 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS “Sports” lens is lighter and a fraction shorter than the similar Nikkor lens for DSLR, despite not using the same phase-fresnel technology Nikon does. It’s available for preorder now in E-mount and L-mount favors, with a ship date in mid-March 2024.
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Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 macro travel zoom
Image: Panasonic
Launched during CP+, Panasonic’s Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro OIS for L-mount is, according to the company, is the smallest and lightest long zoom lens for mirrorless systems (where ‘long zoom’ is defined as 7x or greater zoom range). It’s available for preorder now, and set to ship at the end of April.
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Venus Optics Laowa 10mm F2.8 Zero-D FF
Image: Venus Optics
The Venus Optics’ Laowa Zero-D FF is, according to its makers, the world’s widest F2.8 full-frame rectilinear lens. It’s also the first lens with autofocus in the company’s Laowa line. Available for preorder now, it will ship next month for $799.
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Sony PDT-FP1 5G transmitter
Image: Sony
Sony’s PDT-FP1 5G transmitter accessory, which was already announced in Japan, is now coming to the United States and other markets. It can be preordered now and has a shipping window of “early summer” 2024.
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Apple Vision Pro
Image: Apple
Announced in 2023, Apple Vision Pro got a February 2nd shipping date during CES 2024. It’s now available to order on Apple’s website for $3,499. Apple Vision Pro is not primarily a camera, of course, but it is, in part, a device for capturing photos and videos. The Vision Pro will be able to capture spatial photos and video using a button along the top edge of the goggle part of the device.
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January 2024
The start of the year was no time for rest, we hit the ground running with several product announcements.
Hasselblad CFV 100C
Image: Hasselblad
Hasselblad has announced a 100MP version of its CFV digital camera back, which combines with the 907x camera to create the smallest medium format camera on the market. It’s available for pre-order now and expected to ship in late March to early April.
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Panasonic Lumix S 100mm F2.8 macro
Image: Panasonic
In conjunction with CES 2024, Panasonic has announced the Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro lens for full-frame L-mount cameras. Panasonic calls it “the world’s smallest and lightest medium-telephoto fixed focal length macro lens.” However, as important as its size and weight is versatility: Panasonic tells us its goal was to produce a macro that can also handle portraiture and medium telephoto shooting with vanishingly few drawbacks. It was announced and shipped in January 2024.
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DJI Mic 2
Image: DJI
This January, DJI announced the Mic 2, the sequel to its first wireless microphone system released back in 2022. We were fans of the original, especially the details of its interface and user experience, and the Mic 2 expands on that with some additional creature comforts, 32-bit float backup recordings and a new transparent design. It was available for purchase at its announcement in January.
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