In less than three full months, the photo industry gained over a dozen cutting-edge new cameras and lenses that will give creators more visual potential than ever in 2020. Wide lenses built to capture the Milky Way and Northern Lights and new cameras that offer the long-awaited 4K resolution at 60p film settings are just some of this year’s many game-changing gadgets. Today, we’re rounding up this year’s most exciting camera and lens announcements — and keep in mind, we’re only halfway through March!
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III ()
The long-awaited Canon EOS 1D X Mark III has a number of features Canon photographers and videographers were hoping for: a lighter body, an accurate new autofocus system, up to 20 frames per second shooting (perfect for action shots like sports and wildlife), and 4K 60p full-frame video for filmmakers — something the film industry has been pining for. This 20.1 megapixel camera captures high-resolution images, with the option for a silent-mode shutter when shooting in quiet environments. The Canon EOS 1D X Mark III is the first EOS 1D series camera to have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built in.
Check out Canon Explorer of Light and concert photographer David Bergman‘s hands-on review here.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i ()
With the new Canon EOS Rebel T8i (announced last month), up-and-coming photographers and videographers will have all the necessary features — and then some — to elevate their images and footage. A 24.1 megapixel CMOS sensor guarantees high-resolution photos, while the 45-point autofocus system makes the subject sharp as can be. For videographers, a 4K, 24p filming option means you’re shooting with the same settings as professionals. Vloggers also have cutting-edge vertical video support features to ensure content naturally fits across social platforms. Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth make content sharing quick and easy.
Canon RF24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens ()
The Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 lens offers the versatility photographers need to capture subjects across various settings. It has macro capabilities for photographers who want sharp and detailed close-ups, while the built-in stabilization makes shooting at a distance (think animals, sports, or architecture) easier. This compact lens is a must-have for landscape, portrait, and travel photographers.
Nikon D6 FX-Format Digital SLR Camera ()
Nikon shooters have been anxiously awaiting the Nikon D6 FX-Format DSLR’s specs, and the final product did not disappoint. This 20.8 megapixel camera offers an enhanced AF system, faster file transfer options, quick shooting at 14 frames per second, and impressive low-light capabilities. Fourteen customizable buttons make the Nikon D6 a speedy workhorse in the field; photographers can program any of the 46 functions for quick access. This camera has built-in WiFi support along with a 15 percent transmission speed improvement over its predecessor, the Nikon D5.
Nikon D780 FX-format Digital SLR Camera Body ()
The new Nikon D780, announced at CES 2020, packs all the features Nikon D750 loyalists were looking for — 4K video, remote-free long exposures, and accurate autofocusing — into a new 25.5 megapixel camera. This camera offers silent shooting, which comes in handy for wildlife, event, and wedding photographers, along with a shutter speed of up to 1/8000 second to capture crisp action shots, like a basketball player mid-dunk. The Nikon D780 also comes with built-in WiFi connectivity.
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens ()
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 is the first telephoto lens in the brand’s Z series. An f/2.8 aperture means this lens works well in low-light situations. While it can shoot from a distance of 200mm, the lens also has close-focus capabilities of up to 0.5mm (at the 70mm focal length). Expect fast, accurate autofocusing and electronic VR stabilization that keeps videos steady. This lens also has customizable shortcut buttons.
Sony FE 20MM 1.8 G Lens ()
Sony continues to impress with its low-light-friendly lenses, including the new Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens. This revolutionary ultra-wide prime lens delivers the crisp, lifelike sharpness Sony’s prime lenses are known for, with an f/1.8 aperture that gives photographers and videographers virtually unlimited creative potential for soft, blurry bokeh backgrounds. With an ultra-wide 20mm focal length and an f/1.8 aperture, this lens makes capturing a wide, star-speckled (or Aurora-filled) night sky easier than ever. This affordable lens is a must-have for travel, landscape, portrait, street, and night photographers.
Check out Oveck Reyes and Dave Krugman’s hands-on review of the lens here.
Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Digital Camera ()
The new, 26.1 megapixel Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera delivers crisp, high-resolution images with an impressive 15 frames-per-second shooting rate — great for wildlife, sports, and fashion photographers. An improved image stabilization system also guarantees sharp and detailed images. While great for photographers, the Fujifilm X-T4 is also a must-have for videographers. It offers 4K resolution at 60p, with continuous autofocus subject tracking, along with the dynamic 10-bit, f-log format Fuji shooters rave about.
Fujifilm X100V Mirrorless Digital Camera ()
The Fujifilm X100V Mirrorless Digital Camera is the fifth edition in the brand’s X100 series. It packs all of the essentials Fuji X100 shooters were hoping for — think a sharp, 23mm f/2.0 lens, 4K video recording, a weather-resistant body, and a two-way tilting touchscreen — into the high-resolution, 26.1 megapixel camera. The wide, 23mm f/2 lens lets photographers and videographers create soft, bokeh backgrounds with crisp subjects in the foreground. Videographers can film with 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, or in full HD at 120 frames per second for slow-motion footage.
Fujifilm X-T200 Camera ()
The new Fujifilm X-T200 Camera combines a high-resolution 24.2 megapixel sensor with autofocus features that accurately track the subject’s face and eyes. The camera’s eight frames-per-second shooting is also a must-have for sports, wildlife, and other action scenes. Videographers can shoot in 4K resolution, up to 30 frames per second, with full HD for 60 frames per second. An electronic stabilization mode curbs camera shake, making it easy to capture smooth, easy-to-watch footage. This affordable, lightweight camera is great for up-and-coming travel, outdoors, and landscape photographers and videographers, particularly when paired with the sharp new wide-angle XC 35mm f/2 lens.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Camera ()
With the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, creatives can access an array of impressive features like face and eye priority autofocus, an ISO of up to 25,600, and image stabilization up to 7.5 shutter-speed steps in one lightweight body. The camera’s autofocus performance and high-speed burst capabilities make this Mark III the brand’s smartest camera to date. Plus, an innovative new starry sky autofocus makes night-sky images sharper than ever. Travel, landscape, and adventure photographers can rest easy knowing this camera is weather-sealed with built-in dust reduction.
Check out Olympus Ambassador Gavin Hoey’s hands-on review of the camera here.
Leica M10 Monochrom Camera ()
The slim, compact Leica M10 Monochrom camera brings a redeveloped full-frame 40.89 megapixel sensor to the brand’s series of black-and-white digital rangefinder cameras. This third-generation camera offers film-like grain, sharpness, and striking contrast across images. It has an ISO base of 160 that extends up to a maximum ISO of 100,000. The Leica M10 Monochrom, which also offers silent shooting and built-in WiFi, is among the highest quality black-and-white cameras on the market.
Check out Leica photographer Mark de Paola‘s hands-on review of the camera here.
