{CameraGear} Sony announce DEV-3 and DEV-5 Binoculars

 

 Sony DEV-5 Binoculars

Hi everyone!

In the lead up to Sony's major camera announcement on August 24th, the electronics manufacturer has announced a new category in the line of high end binoculars. Sony introduced two products in this category that have HD video recording, zoom, autofocus and steadyshot image stabilization which is a world's first. The binoculars can record video in AVCHD at 1080p in 2D and 3D as well as shooting still images at 7.1 megapixels and are also equipped with dual lenses which feature Sony's high end G series glass.

The DEV-5 is the more expensive of the duo with extra features such as 10x digital zoom, GPS, extra accessories (carrying case, large eye cup, lens cover, finder strap). The following chart is from Sony's press release detailing the differences between the DEV-5 and DEV-3.

Model name	DEV-5	DEV-3
Video recording format	2D HD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264　AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compatible 3D HD: MPEG-4 MVC/H.264　AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compatible
Video resolution	2D HD: 1920x1080/60p, 50p (PS), 1920x1080/60i, 50i (FX,FH), 1440x1080/60i, 50i (HQ,LP) 3D HD: 2x 1920x1080/60i, 50i
Still Image Max. Effective	7.1 megapixels
Still Image Size (Photo Mode)	7.1 megapixels (4:3) (3072x2304) 5.3 megapixels (16:9) (3072x1728) 1.9 megapixels (4:3) (1600x1200) 307K pixels (4:3) (640x480)
Lens	Dual G Lens F1.8 - F3.4
Image sensor	2x 1/4 type (4.5mm) back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Sensor
Image stabilisation	Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilisation with Active mode [wide(3D)/ wide to tele (2D)]
Viewfinder	Diopter Adjustment: Yes (-3.5 - +3.5) Apparent field of view: 35.6°(16:9) Interpupillary distance: 55– 75mm
Magnification (Movie Mode)	x0.9 - x10(2D:Digital zoom is OFF) / x0.9 - x20(2D:Digital zoom is ON) / x0.5 - x5.4(3D)	x0.9 - x10(2D) / x0.5 - x5.4(3D)
Magnification (Photo Mode) *	x0.5 - x20 (16:9) / x0.3 - x15 (4:3)	x0.5 - x10 (16:9) / x0.3 - x7.5 (4:3)
Minimum Focus Distance	Movie Mode: 2D: Approx. 1cm (Wide) / Approx. 80cm (Tele) 3D: Approx. 80cm (Wide) / Approx. 7.5m (Tele) Photo Mode: Approx. 1cm (Wide) / Approx. 80cm (Tele) / Approx. 25cm (Tele Macro)
Audio recording format	Dolby® Digital 2ch Stereo
Recording and Playback Times (32GB Memory Card)	2D HD PS: Approx. 2h30m 2D HD FX: Approx. 3h00m 2D HD FH: Approx. 4h05m 2D HD HQ: Approx. 7h20m 2D HD LP: Approx. 12h50m 3D HD 3D: Approx. 2h30m
GPS	Yes (without map display)	-
Interfaces	(HD video) HDMI® output (mini) /Component Video Out (SD video) A/R remote (Composite / Component / S video out USB Type A, mini-AB/USB2.0 Hi-speed Headphone (stereo minijack) / microphone (stereo minijack) (Power supply) DC-IN
Compatible recording media	Memory Stick PRO Duo ™ (Mark 2) / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ SD/SDHC/SDXC (no internal memory)
Weight (approx.)	Approx. 1.2 kg (body only)
Dimensions (approx.)	Approx. 219(W) x 155(H) x 88 mm(D) (Body only including protrusion)
Battery type	InfoLITHIUM® with AccuPower™ Meter System (V Series)
Power Consumption in recording	2D HD: 4.2W (FX) 3D HD: 4.8W
Power Requirements	6.8V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor)
Recording time	2D: Approx. 3h05m NP-FV70:(fully charged battery) Approx. 6h10m NP-FV100:(fully charged battery) 3D: Approx. 2h40m NP-FV70:(fully charged battery) Approx. 5h20m NP-FV100:(fully charged battery)
Playback time	2D: Approx. 4h50m NP-FV70:(fully charged battery) Approx. 9h40m NP-FV100:(fully charged battery) 3D: Approx. 4h20m NP-FV70:(fully charged battery) Approx. 8h35m NP-FV100:(fully charged battery)
Supplied accessories	Rechargeable Battery, Pack (NP-FV70), AC adaptor/Charger AC-L200C(D), Power Cord, Large Eyecup, Lens Cover, Finder Cap, Neck Strap, Carrying Case, A/V Connecting Cable, USB Cable, CD-ROM (Video Camera Application Software), Operating Guide	Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-FV70), AC adaptor/Charger AC-L200C (D), Power Cord, Neck Strap, A/V Connecting Cable, USB Cable, CD-ROM (Video Camera Application Software), Operating Guide

In my opinion, if you can live without the extra accessories, GPS and digital zoom, then the DEV-3 is the way to go in terms of pricing. The DEV-3 is set to be priced at $1,399US which is $600 less than the DEV-5 at $1,999US.

Sony designed these binoculars with bird, wildlife and sporting watchers in mind. There probably won't be too much of a market for this product compared to their other products like the Alpha cameras but even though I don't need this, I sort of feel like I want one for the sake of it. It looks pretty awesome and kudos to Sony on the design and features of these new products.

Click here for more information about these products.

DEV-5 top rear

 

DEV-5 front

DEV-5 rear

DEV-5 with slots open

DEV-5 in action

{Snapshots} City 2 Surf

Hi everyone!

I took part in an annual race called the City 2 Surf. It is the largest fun run in the world and has a record of over 85,000 participants this year. It was a cold and cloudy day with some rain but luckily it had stopped before the run commenced. This year I decided to not run for a personal best time but run with my camera again to take some snapshots of the event. It was a bit of a hassle but I love taking photos at these events so I had to take it with me. I made the camera as light as possible so I took the vertical grip off and shot with my nifty 50mm lens.  Enough of me talking, here are a few of the shots from the race. Enjoy!

Panadol  rapid group waiting for the race to start at Hyde Park

 The first km of the race

 Heartbreak hill

 Volunteers at one of the drink stations

 Shaggy and Scooby Doo (lol at Scooby)

 Checkered runner

 Waiting to tackle someone

 The end of the 14km fun run at Bondi Beach

{Snapshots} Sydney Winter Festival

Hi everyone!

The Sydney Winter Festival was held in front of St Mary's Cathedral and next to Hyde Park during July and August. It was a fun event offering international food stalls, unlimited free chai lattes, daily entertainment and most importantly an ice skating rink. Here are a few snapshots that I took.

Ice Skating in front of St Mary's Cathedral

 The Alphorn

 Ice skating performances during the festival

Winter Festival accordionist, Phillipe Wittwerh performing at the tents

Unlimited free chai lattes thanks to Lipton

Skaters at the winter festival enjoying the snow

{Self-Portrait Project} My Daily Routine

exposure: 1/160sec f/stop: 5 iso: 100

 Hi everyone! This is a quick photo of me on my desk since I've been out all day and haven't had much time to do my original plan for today's self portrait. Its just me on my laptop looking up on any updates of the soon to be released a77 from Sony which should be a killer camera, more camera gear and various other photo topics on the web (its a daily routine and I love it). I love photography and camera gear so much that I had to get a camera sticker on my laptop too!

The photo was taken in the studio with a flash behind the laptop to add extra light, since the light from the laptop wasn't enough to illuminate my face. I could have used a longer shutter speed or increased the ISO but I wanted the photo to be blur and noise free. Camera was triggered via remote cable and for some reason I forgot that my little toy (Domo-Kun) was left on the table. 

Gear used:
- Sony a350 with Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f2.8 lens attached

- one flash (HVL-F43AM)

- monopod

- remote cable

{Self-Portrait Project} Meal Interrupted

exposure: 1/50sec f/stop: 2.8 iso: 1600

Hi everyone! After a failed self portrait session at the bay run, Marione and I decided to go to Broadway to try one of my other ideas that I had in mind for this week's photo. That photo didn't turn out as well as I planned it so we decided to give that another go some other week. We thought of a completely new idea whilst we were eating. Not many people like to be photographed while they're eating their food and that also applies to me. This is the facial expression that you would see if you took a photo of me while I'm eating.

The photo was taken outside the store with Marione guarding the tripod and camera. The camera was triggered by a wireless remote with a two second timer and when it was triggered, I quickly put the remote down and grabbed the food and got prepared for the shot.

Gear used:

- Sony a350 with Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f2.8 lens attached

- tripod

- remote trigger

{Snapshots} The Rocks Aroma Festival

Hi everyone!

The Rocks Aroma Festival was held on the 31st of July from 10am to 5pm. It was an event for people to experience food and drinks, watch live entertainment and of course to try coffee from countries around the world. The festival was great with live entertainment in different locations and the vast variety of food stalls wherever you went but enough of me talking about the festival. Here are some snapshots that I took. I'll also be uploading more photos from the festival on my Facebook page soon so be sure to check them out. Enjoy!

Gloria Jeans Baristas serving coffee

Grupo Capoeira dancers 

 One of the stalls with attractive displays

 Quick shot of the crowd outside the Orient Hotel

 Macarons by Baroque Bistro Patisserie

 One of the baskers performing during the festival

 Ruchi Sanghi Dance Company Performers

I forgot what this guy was called but he had a massive gourd of cherry drink that he poured out into cups from his armpit =P

{Self-Portrait Project} The Illusionist

exposure: 25sec f/stop: 13 iso: 100

Hi everyone! I had some sparklers left over from new years and I thought I could put it to some use with this week's photo project.

The photo was taken via remote control and I had the assistance of Marione controlling the sparklers making the ball of light. No flash was used in this shot where the only light was from the sparklers.

Gear used:

- Sony a350 with Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f2.8 lens

- tripod

- remote cable